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About

D.E. Herring is a pioneering researcher in rehabilitation robotics and assistive device engineering, whose work has significantly advanced the development of wearable robotic systems for both stroke recovery and gait assistance. With a career centered on translating biomechanical principles into practical therapeutic technologies, Herring has made lasting contributions across two interconnected domains: upper extremity rehabilitation and ankle-assistive robotics. Herring is perhaps best known as a key contributor to RUPERT (Robotic Upper Extremity Repetitive Therapy), a wearable exoskeletal device designed to deliver intensive, affordable stroke rehabilitation. The 2007 design and control paper detailing RUPERT's structure, biofeedback systems, and clinical evaluation has accumulated an impressive 309 citations, reflecting its foundational influence on the field. Earlier RUPERT publications from 2005 further demonstrate the sustained development behind this platform. Equally notable is Herring's pioneering work on the "robotic tendon" concept — spring-based linear actuators that mimic biological tendons to reduce peak power and energy demands in powered ankle orthoses. The 2006 efficiency study garnered 155 citations, while the innovative "Jack Spring" mechanism introduced in 2005 added a novel dimension of adjustability to these systems. Together, Herring's contributions represent a cohesive and highly cited body of work shaping modern rehabilitation engineering.