Johns Hopkins School of Medicine

Haptics and Medical Robotics (HAMR) Laboratory

At the Haptics and Medical Robotics (HAMR) Laboratory at Johns Hopkins University, we investigate the complex relationship between touch perception, sensorimotor control, and robotic technology to enhance human dexterity in both healthy and impaired systems. Our research operates at the intersection of engineering, neuroscience, and human-machine interaction, with the goal of developing innovative haptic interfaces and robotic systems that assess, restore, and improve human function.

Touch is fundamental to everyday life, whether lifting a coffee cup, tying shoelaces, or reacting instinctively to a hot surface. Despite its importance, touch remains the least understood sense. The HAMR Lab seeks to bridge this gap by using robotic systems as scientific instruments to probe the fundamental principles governing touch perception and its integration with visual and motor processes.

Our work centers on medical robotics, specifically on restoring touch perception in robotic-assisted surgery, developing prosthetic devices that improve control and sensory feedback, and investigating how visual-haptic integration can be leveraged to aid individuals with neurological impairments. By utilizing robotics, haptics, and neuroengineering, the HAMR Lab is committed to exploring new frontiers in touch perception and creating transformative technologies that enhance the quality of life for individuals with sensory and motor impairments.