Neuromotor Systems Laboratory
 
 
Facilities
    
     
   
     
 

 

  
  Laboratory Equipment  
  The laboratory is equipped to perform a variety of human motor control and learning experiments, as well as testing novel rehabilitation protocols. Beside computers to run simulations, we have several specialized pieces of equipment.  
     
  Robotics
One of our favorite pieces of equipment is the WAM arm (Barrett Technology, Inc., Newton, MA). WAM stands for "whole arm manipulator". The WAM is a high-performance robotic arm that can serve a variety of experimental and rehabilitative functions. A key feature is its high back-drivability, which means that a human can grasp the robot and easily move it around.

  
  Electromyography
We have two electromyography systems. An eight-channel wired system is used for virtual arm experiments for minimum latency (Bagnoli, Delsys, Natick, MA). An eight-channel wireless system is used for measurements of muscle activity in gait studies (MA300, Myon AG, Barr, Switzerland).

  
  Static and Dynamics Joint Torque Measurement
A dynomometer is used to measure muscle strength, including torque-length-velocity relations (Biodex System 3, Biodex Medical Systems, Shirley, NY).

  
  Motion Capture
We have a 12-camera motion capture system for recording body kinematics (Flex 13; OptiTrack; NaturalPoint, Inc.; Corvallis, OR).

 
  Analog Muscle Activity Processing
For the virtual arm experiments muscle activity is processed in real-time using analog leaky integrator circuits, which rectify and smooth signals (NL703, Digitimer, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom).
  
     
 

Directions to the Laboratory
There are several convenient options for travel to the laboratory: by land, sea, or air.
If you prefer Google Maps, the location is marked here.


By Land
- Perhaps the simplest method is to take the MBTA subway. The Green Line stops right in front of Richards Hall, circled in the picture below. From downtown Boston, take an "E" Green Line train outbound to the Northeastern stop, the first stop above ground. The only drawback is that the Green Line can be rather slow. The Orange Line is faster - see below for the Orange Line option.

 
 

- Take the Orange Line to Ruggles Station, circled in light blue in the figure below. From downtown take any Orange Line train going outbound to Forest Hills and get off at Ruggles Station. It's a slightly longer walk (five minutes) to Richards Hall (circled in red).

- If you wish to drive, you can park at the Renaissance Parking Garage, circled in yellow in the figure below (which is adjacent to Ruggles Station on the Orange Line).

 
 
     
  By Sea
- Being located near a historic shipyard, you can dock your boat at the Boston Harbor Shipyard & Marina (Guest Dockage).		  
     
  By Air
- Northeastern University is conveniently located about five miles from Boston Logan International Airport. 		 
     
     
   
     
     
     
     
© 2022 Christopher J. Hasson