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About

Tyler R. Clites is a pioneering researcher at the intersection of rehabilitation engineering, soft robotics, and orthopedic biomechanics. His work focuses on developing biologically inspired technologies to restore function and enhance human performance, particularly for individuals with neurological or musculoskeletal impairments. Clites’s most impactful contribution is the design of a soft robot for thumb rehabilitation, which addresses the high prevalence of upper extremity hemiplegia among stroke survivors—a condition affecting over 130,000 people annually in the U.S. This work, cited over 110 times, demonstrates his commitment to translating bio-inspired principles into practical, high-impact clinical tools. He has also advanced the field of prosthetics with an electromyographically controlled ankle-foot prosthesis for rock climbing augmentation, enabling new levels of athletic performance for individuals with transtibial amputation. More recently, Clites has tackled fundamental challenges in joint reconstruction with compliant intramedullary stems to prevent aseptic loosening, and introduced metamorphic flexure bearings that extend the range of motion in precision mechanisms. His innovative, cross-disciplinary approach—spanning soft robotics, prosthetics, and orthopedic devices—positions him as a leading voice in creating next-generation technologies that improve mobility and quality of life for diverse patient populations.