Max Robotics — Global Service Robot Directory + US Certification

About

Maxwell Herman is a pioneering researcher in the field of soft robotics, with a primary focus on developing assistive technologies for hand rehabilitation. His major contributions center on the design and implementation of soft robotic gloves that leverage compliant, elastomeric actuators to safely aid individuals with functional grasp pathologies, including those recovering from stroke. Herman’s work bridges critical gaps between hardware innovation and clinical application, as evidenced by his highly cited 2015 paper on a soft robotic glove for task-specific training (236 citations) and his subsequent EMG-controlled glove for activities of daily living (173 citations). Beyond device development, he has been instrumental in democratizing soft robotics through the Soft Robotics Toolkit, an open-access platform that has garnered 66 citations for its role in overcoming barriers to hardware dissemination. His recent 2024 work combines soft robotics with telerehabilitation to improve post-stroke motor function, reflecting a forward-looking integration of remote care. Herman’s efforts to grow the soft robotics community through knowledge-sharing initiatives further underscore his commitment to accessible, impactful innovation.