Max Robotics — Global Service Robot Directory + US Certification

About

Donna Kelly is a pioneering researcher at the intersection of pediatric rehabilitation and advanced technology, whose work has fundamentally shaped how robotic and virtual reality (VR) systems are used to treat motor impairments in children with cerebral palsy (CP). Her primary research areas include robot-assisted rehabilitation, virtual reality therapy, and haptic interface design for pediatric populations. Kelly’s most significant contribution is the development and validation of the New Jersey Institute of Technology Robot-Assisted Virtual Rehabilitation (NJIT-RAVR) system. Through a series of landmark studies, she demonstrated that combining adaptive robotics with complex VR simulations can effectively improve upper extremity function in children with hemiplegic CP. Her 2009 feasibility study, which has garnered over 100 citations, established the clinical potential of this integrated approach, while her subsequent 2010 work provided critical evidence of measurable motor function changes in young patients. By engineering haptic robotic systems that interface with immersive virtual environments, Kelly created a novel therapeutic paradigm that enhances patient engagement through interactive, game-like exercises while delivering precisely controlled, repetitive motor training. Her pioneering efforts have laid the groundwork for a new generation of accessible, engaging rehabilitation technologies, making her a central figure in the field of pediatric neurorehabilitation.