On 2 April 2019, visiting research collaborator and Professor of Computational Biophysics and Biorobotics at the University of Stuttgart, Syn Schmitt presented a seminar “Learning to control redundant musculoskeletal systems – arm and leg robot and computer simulation”. His research focusses on autonomous muscle-driven motion with special interests in the design principles of the locomotion apparatus, non-linear dynamics of locomotion, motor control and morphological computation in biological and technical systems.
The BSRG’s collaboration with Professor Schmitt involves the development of a new spine modelling capability which amalgamates the BSRG’s osseo-ligamentous finite element spine model with the University of Stuttgart’s musculoskeletal kinematic spine model. This new combined approach will permit the improved understanding of the loads experienced by spinal tissues during everyday activities.