Research Lab Relocates

The Human Engineering Research Laboratories is in a new facility that will enhance the mission of improving the mobility of people with disabilities.

Moving to Bakery Square, Pittsburgh’s new technology hub that’s attracted other high-tech tenants such as Google, has given HERL an unprecedented ability to grow.

From its original plan of 17,000 square feet located on three floors, HERL now encompasses 26,000 square feet, including a brand-new machine shop. The amount of lab space has almost doubled.

“The new space is custom-designed for us,” says HERL founder Rory Cooper, PhD. “All our research equipment will fit.” Equipment that was previously in storage will now be able to be used daily, he adds.

The space was officially opened with a grand gala last August during the National Veterans Wheelchair Games. 

HERL faculty member Dr. Alicia Koontz is overseeing a study that will especially benefit from the extra space.

“Our goal is to minimize overuse injuries in wheelchair users,” she says. “The new lab area greatly expands our testing capabilities. People who use wheelchairs need a lot of room to maneuver, which we are now able to provide. It will make our tests much more true-to-life.”

HERL bioengineer Michelle Oyster adds, “We can think bigger with our new space—we’re already adding new experimental systems.” 

Garrett Grindle, a graduate student and robotics researcher, is excited about the production possibilities of HERL’s greatly expanded machine shop.

“The new shop gives us some unique fabrication capabilities,” he says. “It’ll be faster to produce specialized parts, and their quality will be higher.”

 

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