Brian Dellon

About

Brian Dellon is a leading researcher at the intersection of robotics, rehabilitation, and biomechatronics, with a core focus on developing safe, human-interactive robotic systems for medical and assistive applications. His seminal work includes the highly cited "Grand Challenges of Robotics" paper (145 citations), which laid out the future roadmap for prosthetics, exoskeletons, and rehabilitation robotics. Dellon is best known for pioneering the Roboscope, a flexible surgical robot for single-port minimally invasive surgery, and for his extensive work on the anatomically correct ACT hand, which has advanced understanding of human dexterity through variable moment arm analysis and artificial finger joint design. His research emphasizes safety in human-robot interaction, demonstrated through innovative brake-actuated manipulators and dissipative haptic environments that enable large-scale virtual rehabilitation. With over 300 total citations, Dellon has also contributed to sensory feedback systems for prosthetic users, artificial skin with integrated tactile sensors, and robotic rehabilitation for stroke survivors. His work uniquely bridges engineering and clinical needs, making significant strides toward safer, more dexterous robotic systems that can intimately interact with humans.

Research Focus

Key Achievements

Top Papers

1. 1
   Prosthetics, exoskeletons, and rehabilitation [Grand Challenges of Robotics]

   145 citations · 2007
2. 2
   Roboscope: A flexible and bendable surgical robot for single portal Minimally Invasive Surgery

   39 citations · 2017
3. 3
   Understanding variable moment arms for the index finger MCP joints through the ACT hand

   35 citations · 2008
4. 4
   Design and analysis of an artificial finger joint for anthropomorphic robotic hands

   30 citations · 2011
5. 5
   Modeling and System Identification of a Life-Size Brake-Actuated Manipulator

   14 citations · 2009
6. 6
   Feedback distortion to augment controllability of human limb motion

   11 citations · 2008
7. 7
   Contextual effects on robotic experiments of sensory feedback for object manipulation

   9 citations · 2010
8. 8
   Demonstration of a Large Dissipative Haptic Environment

   8 citations · 2006
9. 9
   Characterization of multi-finger twist motion toward robotic rehabilitation

   6 citations · 2009
10. 10
    Design of artificial skin with integrated tactile sensors for anthropomorphic robotic hands

    2 citations · 2011

Key Collaborators

Contact & Links