Category: Publication

Congratulations to Michael Adkins, Tyler Gourley, Tyler Davis, Nate Toth, Monika Buczak, and Marta on Their Publication: Electronic Grip Gauge (EGG)

Their work introduces and validates the Electronic Grip Gauge (EGG), a new sensorimotor assessment tool designed to measure grip force regulation with precision. The EGG offers a valuable means of evaluating sensorimotor function following neuromuscular impairment and in the context of assistive devices such as prosthetics and orthotics.

This type of assessment is rapidly becoming the standard for demonstrating the effectiveness of neuroprostheses — and Michael and his co-authors have taken it a step further by pioneering its application in stroke rehabilitation.

We encourage everyone in the field to read this work and consider incorporating the EGG into your own assessment toolkit.

📄 Read the full publication here.

New Publication: Advancing Upper-Limb FES for Clinical Use

Congratulations to Marshall Trout and co-authors Clay Stanley, Kristen Saad, and Abby Harrison on their recent publication in IEEE Transactions on Neural Systems & Rehabilitation Engineering!

Their paper, “An Intuitive, Bidirectional, Adaptive Functional Electrical Stimulation System for Hand Rehabilitation,” presents a new FES stimulation model designed to be quick to set up and stable over time — meaning less time spent adjusting stimulation parameters, and more time focused on therapy.

This work represents a meaningful step forward in making upper-limb FES a practical option for clinical use. We encourage you to read the full paper and congratulate Marshall and the team on this achievement!

🔗 Read the paper on IEEE Xplore

Utah NeuroRobotics Lab Featured in $100M Research Investment Story

A huge shout-out to Fredi, Marshall Trout, Leonardo, and Caden Hamrick for representing the lab and showcasing our research to state legislators at the Utah Higher Education Appropriations Committee Meeting last week!

Their efforts clearly made an impression — our lab is featured on the front page of a recent article detailing Utah’s plans to invest $100 million into university research. It’s incredibly exciting to see our work recognized at the state level, and a testament to the passion and dedication this team brings to every opportunity.

Thank you all for representing the Utah NeuroRobotics Lab so well. Way to go, team!

🔗 Read the full article at @theU

NeuroRobotics Lab Partners with Meta to Advance Accessible Wearable Technology for People with Limited Hand Mobility

The Utah NeuroRobotics Lab, led by Dr. Jacob A. George, has launched a new research collaboration with Meta to evaluate how consumer-grade wrist wearables can make human-computer interaction more accessible for people with varying levels of hand mobility. Building on previous research that demonstrated how surface electromyography (EMG) signals remain viable for control even with reduced signal-to-noise ratios, Dr. George’s team will now assess Meta Neural Band technology with end users who have neuromuscular conditions. The research will examine how EMG-based gesture controls can enable individuals to operate computers, smart home devices, and potentially recreational mobility equipment like the University of Utah’s TetraSki. This collaboration emphasizes co-design with end users to ensure the technology meets diverse needs and can be customized for people with conditions such as muscular dystrophy, stroke, spinal cord injury, ALS, and limb loss.

Learn More: Read the full article on Meta’s blog: A Look at the University of Utah’s Accessibility Research Using Meta Neural Band

Nature Communications paper hits major global impact milestone

Congratulations to Marshall Trout and co-authors Fredi, Connor Olsen, Taylor Hansen, and David J. Warren on their recent publication in Nature Communications.

The paper has already received significant global visibility, including:

  • Altmetric score: 813 (99th percentile; top 5% of all research outputs tracked)

  • 143 unique news stories, syndicated across 500+ outlets

  • Estimated reach of 406,729 unique viewers

Read the Altmetric report: Click Here
Paper: Shared human-machine control of an intelligent bionic hand improves grasping and decreases cognitive burden for transradial amputees

New Nature Communications paper highlights smarter, more intuitive bionic-hand control

A University of Utah team led by Marshall Trout and Jacob A. George published a new paper in Nature Communications demonstrating shared human–machine control for a commercial bionic hand. By integrating proximity + pressure sensing and using AI to help each finger “find” contact automatically, users can maintain control while the hand handles the fine-grain adjustments—resulting in more secure, more precise grasps with lower cognitive burden.

Read the paper

As of Jan 13, 2026, the paper has an Altmetric attention score of 814.

AI & Bionics: Utah NeuroRobotics Lab Featured in U of U AI Story

The University of Utah’s Office of Artificial Intelligence recently highlighted the Utah NeuroRobotics Lab for its groundbreaking work using AI to design bionic devices that restore movement and sensation for people with neuromuscular impairments. Led by Solzbacher-Chen Endowed Professor Jacob A. George, the lab bridges engineering, medicine, and advanced AI to create prosthetic and assistive technologies that improve independence and quality of life. Read the full feature here.

Spotlight on Fredi Mino: Inspiring the Next Generation of Bioengineers

Our lab is excited to share that Fredi is featured in a new online educational module created for middle school students through University of Utah Health and the Genetic Science Learning Center.

The module introduces students to bioengineering through the lens of prosthetics, and our team partnered with the Genetic Science Learning Center to help shape the content. As part of the project, Fredi appears in several videos, guiding viewers through the lab and talking about his path in engineering and prosthetics research.

The series also includes extensive b-roll footage from the Craig H. Neilsen Rehabilitation Hospital (NRH) shared spaces and highlights many of the researchers who work there, giving students an inside look at what it’s like to work in a modern rehabilitation and bioengineering environment.

You can explore the module here:
Bioengineering & Prosthetics – Working in a Lab
https://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/careers/lab/

BIOS Named 2025 Innovation Awards Honoree

We’re proud to announce that BIOS, a company that spun out of our lab, has been named an Emerging Honoree in the Healthcare & Life Sciences category of the 2025 Utah Business Innovation Awards. This annual recognition celebrates the groundbreaking companies and technologies shaping Utah’s future — and BIOS’ inclusion highlights how research born in our lab is transforming lives beyond the university walls.

BIOS is pioneering a Universal Neural Interface that intercepts, captures, and edits neural signals — creating a bridge between the human nervous system and advanced prosthetic devices. This breakthrough technology addresses a critical challenge in prosthetic adoption: many users abandon devices due to limited control or lack of sensory feedback. BIOS’ innovations are designed to change that, making prosthetics that move and feel like a biological limb.

The company’s recognition is more than just an award — it’s a testament to the power of research translation and the impact of collaborative innovation. What began as an ambitious idea in our lab has grown into a technology with the potential to transform the lives of people with limb loss and neurological conditions.

We congratulate the BIOS team on this well-deserved honor and look forward to continuing our shared mission of advancing human-machine integration to improve quality of life.

🏆 Read the full announcement on Utah Business.