Research Interest

Rehabilitation Robotics
Assistive Technology
Exoskeletons and Prosthetics
Wearable Robotics
Computer Vision and Deep Learning
Neural Engineering

Biography

Dr. Brokoslaw Laschowski is a research scientist with the Artificial Intelligence and Robotics in Rehabilitation Team at the Toronto Rehabilitation Institute and an assistant professor (status) in the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering at the University of Toronto. He also works as an instructor in the Department of Computer Science at UofT and as a visiting scientist at the UCU Faculty of Applied Sciences in Ukraine. He specializes in the design and control of wearable robotic systems and technologies using a human-machine systems engineering approach. Applications of his research include rehabilitation robotics, neural engineering, human-computer interaction, and assistive technology (e.g., robotic prostheses and exoskeletons) for older adults and/or persons with physical disabilities. His research also includes the design and integration of sensory feedback systems (e.g., smart glasses and haptics) for persons with visual impairments. Overall, he develops technologies that interface with humans in order to improve health and performance.

Dr. Laschowski received his PhD degree from the Department of Systems Design Engineering, with a specialization in biomedical engineering, at the University of Waterloo and the Waterloo Artificial Intelligence Institute. His PhD research focused on 1) mathematical modelling and computer simulation of human-exoskeleton systems with energy-efficient actuators, and 2) computer vision and deep learning for autonomous exoskeleton control and decision-making during legged locomotion. He received his MASc degree from the Department of Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering also at the University of Waterloo, where he developed physics-based computer models to simulate human motor control using mathematical optimization, specifically optimal control theory.

Dr. Laschowski has published in many leading journals, including the Frontiers in Neurorobotics, the IEEE Transactions on Medical Robotics and Bionics, and the Frontiers in Robotics and AI. He previously served on the executive committee of the Canadian Society for Biomechanics and worked at the Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital and as a teaching professor at Humber College. To date, he has earned over $254,000 in scholarships and awards (e.g., from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada) and co-authored grant proposals that received over $197,000 in research funding (e.g., from the Canada Foundation for Innovation). He has presented at many national and international conferences and was recently a Best Paper Award finalist at the IEEE International Conference on Rehabilitation Robotics. His award-winning research has been featured on mainstream media networks like BBC World News, CBC radio, Forbes, and Maclean’s magazine.

Please see Dr. Laschowski's Teaching Statement and Research Statement.