Wei Carrigan

Papers

Total Citations

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About

Wei Carrigan is a leading figure in the field of soft robotics, with a focused expertise in the design and development of hybrid actuator systems for rehabilitation and assistive technologies. Her major contributions center on pioneering a novel class of pneumatic soft-and-rigid hybrid actuators, which combine the flexibility of bellow-type soft sections with the structural support of rigid blocks. This innovative architecture allows for selective, joint-like actuation, enabling precise and safe motion for human-robot interaction. Carrigan’s most cited work, the 2016 paper on a sensorized soft robotic glove for continuous passive motion therapy (32 citations), demonstrates the direct clinical application of her actuator designs, providing a pathway for automated hand rehabilitation. Her foundational 2015 paper on the actuator system itself (22 citations) and the subsequent kinematic study of a soft-and-rigid robotic digit (14 citations) further establish her as a key architect in creating dexterous, compliant robotic digits for exoskeletons. Through her research, Carrigan has significantly advanced the practicality of soft robotics for therapeutic and assistive applications, bridging the gap between novel actuation principles and real-world medical devices.