Kunlin Wei

About

Kunlin Wei is a leading researcher at the intersection of rehabilitation robotics, motor control, and human-robot interaction. His work is defined by two major thrusts: developing innovative robotic systems for post-stroke rehabilitation and exploring the cognitive and social dimensions of human movement. In rehabilitation, Wei pioneered the integration of Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) into robotic ankle-foot systems, creating devices that effectively treat spasticity and contracture in stroke survivors. His 2014 and 2016 studies on robot-assisted PNF rehabilitation (cumulatively over 100 citations) demonstrated significant clinical improvements, including measurable changes in Achilles tendon properties. Beyond physical therapy, Wei has made notable contributions to understanding social cognition. His 2018 study on the uncanny valley effect revealed that children with autism spectrum disorder do not exhibit the typical discomfort with near-human robots—a finding with profound implications for using virtual reality in ASD interventions (50 citations). He has also designed wearable interfaces for locomotion recognition (70 citations) and studied motor generalization and interpersonal synchronization in children. Wei’s work bridges engineering, neuroscience, and clinical practice, advancing both assistive technology and our understanding of human movement and social interaction.

Research Focus

Key Achievements

Top Papers

1. 1
   A foot-wearable interface for locomotion mode recognition based on discrete contact force distribution

   70 citations · 2015
2. 2
   The uncanny valley effect in typically developing children and its absence in children with autism spectrum disorders

   50 citations · 2018
3. 3
   A proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation integrated robotic ankle–foot system for post stroke rehabilitation

   46 citations · 2014
4. 4
   Robot-Assisted Rehabilitation of Ankle Plantar Flexors Spasticity: A 3-Month Study with Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation

   40 citations · 2016
5. 5
   On the design of a robot-assisted rehabilitation system for ankle joint with contracture and/or spasticity based on proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation

   15 citations · 2014
6. 6
   Generalization of unconstrained reaching with hand-weight changes

   10 citations · 2012
7. 7
   Changes of Achilles tendon properties via 12-week PNF based robotic rehabilitation of ankle joints with spasticity and/or contracture

   8 citations · 2014
8. 8
   Interpersonal motor synchronization in children

   2 citations · 2022

Key Collaborators

Contact & Links