Ryan Posh

Education

Ph.D. University of Notre Dame (2024)

B.S. University of Michigan (2019)

Research

I am a fifth-year Ph.D. Candidate in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Notre Dame. As an NSF GRFP Fellow, and a Notebaert Fellow, I am co-advised by Dr. Jim Schmiedeler and Dr. Patrick Wensing in the Robotics and Control Group. My work is currently focused on the control of robotic ankle prostheses, in particular safely and reliably incorporating user intent into the control of robotic ankle prostheses via Hybrid Volitional Control. My research interests lie at the intersection of robotics, biomechanics, and prosthetic and orthotic research. I am particularly interested in the bio-inspired advancement of bionic lower-limb prostheses to restore the functionality, aesthetics, and comfort for individuals with amputation. I am broadly interested and experienced in aspects of design, manufacture, control, and user-interaction to increase the biological realism and user experience of these prosthetic devices.

Before my time at Notre Dame, I received a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Michigan. There, I worked with Dr. Albert Shih in the Biomedical Manufacturing and Design Lab where I designed and tested custom prostheses and orthoses using advanced additive manufacturing (AM) techniques. I also designed, manufactured, and delivered fully functional myoelectric hand prostheses for young children as the lead design engineer of the Michigan Neuroprosthetics Team. In the summer of 2019, I worked as a research assistant with the University of Bologna Group of Robotics, Automation and Articular Biomechanics (GRAB) Lab and Center for Advanced Laser Manufacturing, in Bologna, Italy.

Award

NSF GRFP Fellowship (2019)

Richard and Peggy Premier Fellowship (2019)

First Year Engineering Teaching Apprenticeship Program Fellowship (2022-23)

Notre Dame Three Minute Thesis (3MT) Finalist (2023)

Publication

Journal

• R. R. Posh, J. P. Schmiedeler, P. M. Wensing. Finite-State Impedance and Direct Myoelectric Control For Robotic Ankle Prostheses: Comparing their Performance and Exploring their Combination. IEEE Transactions on Neural Systems and Rehabilitation Engine-
  ering. 31:2778-2788, 2023.
• K. B. Putra, D. Bolger, R. Posh, J. Wensman, and A. Shih. Custom Silicone Distal Cup Designed and Fabricated Using 3D Optical Scanning and Additive Manufacturing to Improve Socket Fit of an Individual with Tranfemoral Amputation with Irregular Distal Residual Limb Morphology. Journal of Prosthetics and Orthotics (JPO). 10:1097, 2023.
• Funes-Lora, M. A., Posh, R., Wensman, J., & Shih, A. J. (2022). Design of a segmented custom ankle foot orthosis with custom-made metal strut and 3D-printed footplate and calf shell. Prosthetics and Orthotics International, 46(1), 37-41.

Conference

• R. R. Posh, J. A. Tittle, D. J. Kelly, J. P. Schmiedeler, P. M. Wensing. Hybrid Volitional Control in Powered Transtibial Prostheses using a Phase Variable Impedance Controller. In IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation (ICRA), under review. 2023.
• D. J. Kelly, R. R. Posh, P. M. Wensing. Task-space Control of a Powered Ankle Prosthesis. In IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation (ICRA), under review. 2023.
• R. R. Posh, J. A. Tittle, J. P. Schmiedeler, P. M. Wensing. Calibration of a tibia-based phase variable for control of robotic transtibial prostheses. In IEEE International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems (IROS), to appear. 2023.
• Posh, R. R., Schmiedeler, J. P., & Wensing, P. M. (2021, September). Hybrid Volitional Control as a Framework for Lower-Limb Prosthetic Control: A Simulation Study. In 2021 IEEE/RSJ International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems (IROS) (pp. 6167-6163). IEEE.

Patent

• Shih, A. J., Chisena, R., Posh, R., Funes, M., Bolger, D., & Wensman, J. (2022). System and method for additively manufacturing an ankle foot orthosis. U.S. Patent Application No. 17/761,914.

Abstract and Presentation

• Posh, R. R., Schmiedeler, J. P., & Wensing, P. M. Hybrid Volitional Control in Powered Transtibial Prostheses using a Phase Variable Impedance Controller. IROS 2023, (Detroit, MI), October 2023, poster presentation & live demonstration.
• Posh, R. R., Schmiedeler, J. P., & Wensing, P. M. Calibration of a Tibia-Based Phase Variable for Control of Robotic Transtibial Prostheses. IROS 2023, (Detroit, MI), October 2023, paper presentation & live demonstration.
• Posh, R. R., Schmiedeler, J. P., & Wensing, P. M. Finite-State Impedance, Direct Myoelectric, and Hybrid Volitional Control for a Robotic Ankle Prosthesis. Dynamic Walking 2023, (Munich, Germany), June 2023, podium presentation.
• Posh, R. R. “Changing Prosthetic Ability,” Three Minute Thesis (3MT) Competition, (Notre Dame, IN), March 2023, 3MT Finalist.
• Posh, R. R., Schmiedeler, J. P., & Wensing, P. M. “Hybrid Volitional Control for Robotic Ankle Prostheses,” Dynamic Walking 2022, (Madison, WI), June 2022, poster, podium presentation, & live demonstration
• Posh, R. R., Schmiedeler, J. P., & Wensing, P. M. Experimental Implementation of Hybrid Volitional Control on a Transtibial Prosthesis. North American Congress of Biomechanics 2022 (Ottawa, Ontario, Canada), poster presentation.
• Posh, R. R., Schmiedeler, J. P., & Wensing, P. M. Hybrid Volitional Control for Robotic Ankle Prostheses. Dynamic Walking 2022 (Madison, WI), poster presentation.
• Posh, R. R., Schmiedeler, J. P., & Wensing, P. M. Hybrid Volitional Control as a Framework for Lower-Limb Prosthetic Control. Dynamic Walking 2021 (Virtual), poster presentation.
• Posh, R. R., Schmiedeler, J. P., & Wensing, P. M. Exploring Hybrid Volitional Control of Robotic Lower-Limb Prostheses. Dynamic Walking 2020 (Virtual), poster presentation.

External

Linkedin