Antonio J. del‐Ama

About

Antonio J. del-Ama is a prominent biomedical engineer and rehabilitation robotics researcher whose work has fundamentally advanced the science of restoring mobility in individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI). His research sits at the intersection of robotic exoskeletons, functional electrical stimulation (FES), and neural interfaces, with a particular focus on developing hybrid systems that combine these technologies to overcome the limitations of any single approach. Del-Ama's most influential contributions include his landmark work on hybrid FES-robot cooperative control (190 citations) and his comprehensive review of hybrid exoskeletons for gait restoration (169 citations), which together established foundational frameworks still referenced widely today. His groundbreaking integration of brain-machine interfaces with ambulatory exoskeletons (128 citations) opened new frontiers in user-driven, neurally controlled rehabilitation. Beyond hardware development, he has championed rigorous evaluation methodology, contributing to benchmarking standards for bipedal locomotion and advocating for user-centered design practices in wearable robotics. His 2023 randomized controlled trial demonstrating that exoskeleton training significantly improves walking independence in incomplete SCI patients (52 citations) represents a meaningful translation of laboratory innovation into clinical evidence. With a body of work spanning control engineering, biomechanics, and clinical rehabilitation, del-Ama's research has measurably shaped how the field approaches motor recovery technology.

Research Focus

Key Achievements

Top Papers

1. 1
   Hybrid FES-robot cooperative control of ambulatory gait rehabilitation exoskeleton

   190 citations · 2014
2. 2
   Review of hybrid exoskeletons to restore gait following spinal cord injury

   169 citations · 2012
3. 3
   Control of an Ambulatory Exoskeleton with a Brain–Machine Interface for Spinal Cord Injury Gait Rehabilitation

   128 citations · 2016
4. 4
   Kinematic analysis of the daily activity of drinking from a glass in a population with cervical spinal cord injury

   77 citations · 2010
5. 5
   Assessing the Involvement of Users During Development of Lower Limb Wearable Robotic Exoskeletons: A Survey Study

   71 citations · 2020
6. 6
   Benchmarking Bipedal Locomotion: A Unified Scheme for Humanoids, Wearable Robots, and Humans

   67 citations · 2015
7. 7
   Review of electromyography onset detection methods for real-time control of robotic exoskeletons

   65 citations · 2023
8. 8
   Exoskeleton-based training improves walking independence in incomplete spinal cord injury patients: results from a randomized controlled trial

   52 citations · 2023
9. 9
   Hybrid gait training with an overground robot for people with incomplete spinal cord injury: a pilot study

   48 citations · 2014
10. 10
    Hybrid therapy of walking with Kinesis overground robot for persons with incomplete spinal cord injury: A feasibility study

    40 citations · 2014

Key Collaborators

Contact & Links