Roland Brodard
Papers
7
Total Citations
243
H-Index
6
About
Roland Brodard is a pioneering figure in rehabilitation robotics, with his work centered on restoring mobility for individuals with spinal cord injuries. His major contributions lie in the development of advanced robotic systems that integrate precise mechanical guidance with closed-loop functional electrical stimulation (FES). Brodard was instrumental in creating the WalkTrainer, a mobile overground gait training system that combines active body weight support, lower limb orthoses, and pelvic motion control to deliver highly coordinated rehabilitation. His earlier work on the MotionMaker™, a stationary robotic test and training system, demonstrated the power of combining robotic orthoses with controlled muscle stimulation, with clinical trials showing improved motor performance in SCI patients. With his most-cited paper, "The WalkTrainer," garnering 83 citations, and related works accumulating over 200 citations, Brodard’s research has had a tangible impact on the field. Notably, his designs emphasize overground, natural walking patterns rather than treadmill-based training, a key innovation that enhances real-world applicability. Brodard’s achievements, developed through collaborations with the Swiss Foundation for Cyberthosis and EPFL, have set a benchmark for intelligent, robot-assisted neurorehabilitation.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
- 1The WalkTrainer: A Robotic System for Walking Rehabilitation83 citations · 2006
- 2
- 3Improvement of rehabilitation possibilities with the MotionMaker TM60 citations · 2006
- 4
- 5Pelvic motion implementation on the WalkTrainer12 citations · 2007
- 6
- 7CLINICAL TRIALS WITH THE WALKTRAINER: PRELIMINARY RESULTS5 citations · 2008