Rory is the lead research engineer in the BLINC Lab, and is appointed to the department of Medicine – Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Alberta.
Rory directly drives and coordinates the engineering projects in the lab related to prosthetics and orthotics including design of training tools, sensory feedback systems, and research platforms. Rory plays a key role as an interface between research at the University of Alberta and clinical implementation at the Glenrose ensuring technologies are clinically relevant and translatable. His research interests include 3D printing, robotics, and device design as well as motor, sensory, and machine learning.
Appointments:
- Lead Research Engineer – BLINC Lab, University of Alberta
Projects:
- The Myoelectric Training Tool (MTT)
- The Bento Arm
- Sensory Feedback Systems
- BLINCdev.ca
Publications:
- M. R. Dawson, H. E. Williams, G. Murgatroyd, J. S. Hebert, P. M. Pilarski, “brachIOplexus: Myoelectric Training Software for Clinical and Research Applications,” Myoelectric Control Symposium (MEC), 2020. (Published Copy)
- E. D. Wells, S. Carpenter, M. R. Dawson, A. W. Shehata, J. P. Carey, J. S. Hebert, “Development of a Modular Simulated Prosthesis and Evaluation of a Compliant Grip Force Sensor,” Myoelectric Control Symposium (MEC), 2020. (Published Copy)
- B. W. Hallworth, A. W. Shehata, M. R. Dawson, F. Sperle, M. Connan, W. Friedl, B. Vodermayer, C. Castellini, J. S. Hebert, P. M. Pilarski, “A Transradial Modular Adaptable Platform for Evaluating Prosthetic Feedback and Control Strategies,” Myoelectric Control Symposium (MEC), 2020. (Published Copy)
- J. Günther, N. M. Ady, A. Kearney, M. R. Dawson, P. M. Pilarski, “Examining the Use of Temporal-Difference Incremental Delta-Bar-Delta for Real-World Predictive Knowledge Architectures,” Frontiers in Robotics and AI, vol. 7, no. 34, 2020, DOI: 10.3389/frobt.2020.00034. (Published copy)
- D. J. A. Brenneis, M. R. Dawson, H. Tanikawa, J. S. Hebert, J. P. Carey, P M. Pilarski, “The Effect of an Automatically Levelling Wrist Control System,” 2019 IEEE-RAS-EMBS International Conference on Rehabilitation Robotics (ICORR), 24-28 June, 2019, Toronto, Canada, pp. 816-823. (Preprint PDF)
- J. Gunther, A. Kearney, M. R. Dawson, C. Sherstan, P. M. Pilarski, “Predictions, Surprise, and Predictions of Surprise in General Value Function Architectures,” Proceedings of the AAAI 2018 Fall Symposium on Reasoning and Learning in Real-World Systems for Long-Term Autonomy, Arlington, Virginia, October 18-20, 2018, pp. 22–29. (PDF)
- D. J. A. Brenneis, M. R. Dawson, G. Murgatroyd, J. P. Carey, P. M. Pilarski, “Initial Investigation of a Self-Adjusting Wrist Control System to Maintain Prosthesis Terminal Device Orientation Relative to the Ground Reference Frame,” 7th IEEE RAS/EMBS International Conference on Biomedical Robotics and Biomechatronics (BioRob), August 26-29, Enschede, The Netherlands, 2018, pp. 756–763.(Preprint PDF)
- P.D. Marasco, J.S. Hebert, J.W. Sensinger, C.E. Shell, J.S. Schofield, Z.C Thumser, R. Nataraj, D.T. Beckler, M.R. Dawson, D.H. Bluestein, S. Gill, B.D. Mensh, R. Granja-Vazquez, M.D. Newcomb, J.P. Carey, B.M. Orzell, “Illusory movement perception improves motor control for prosthetic hands,” Science Translational Medicine, 14 March 2018, Vol. 10, Issue 432, eaao6990, DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.aao6990. (Read Online, PDF)
- D.J. Brenneis, M.R. Dawson, P.M. Pilarski, “Development of the Handi Hand: an Inexpensive, Multi-articulating, Sensorized Hand for Machine Learning Research in Myoelectric Control,” MEC17: Myoelectric Controls Symposium, Fredericton, New Brunswick, August 14-18, 2017. (Preprint PDF)
- T.G. Kuus, M.R. Dawson, K.S. Schoepp, J.P. Carey, J.S. Hebert, “Development of a Simulated Sensory Motor Prosthesis: A Device to Research Prosthetic Sensory Feedback Using Able-Bodied Individuals,” MEC17: Myoelectric Controls Symposium, Fredericton, New Brunswick, August 14-18, 2017. (PDF)
- G.W. Melenka, B.K.O. Cheung, J.S. Schofield, M.R. Dawson, J.P. Carey, “Evaluation and prediction of the tensile properties of continuous fiber-reinforced 3D printed structures”, Composite Structures, Volume 153, 1 October 2016, Pages 866-875, ISSN 0263-822. (Preprint PDF)
- J.S. Hebert, K.M. Chan, M.R. Dawson, “Cutaneous sensory outcomes from three transhumeral targeted reinnervation cases,” Prosthetics & Orthotics International. June 2016, doi: 10.1177/0309364616633919.
- A. L. Edwards, M. R. Dawson, J. S. Hebert, C. Sherstan, R. S. Sutton, K. M. Chan, P. M. Pilarski, “Application of Real-time Machine Learning to Myoelectric Prosthesis Control: A Case Series in Adaptive Switching,” Prosthetics & Orthotics International. Published online before print September 30, 2015, doi: 10.1177/0309364615605373.
- Schofield JS, Dawson MR, Carey JP, Hebert JS, 2014. “Characterizing the effects of amplitude, frequency and limb position on vibration induced movement illusions: Implications in sensory-motor rehabilitation.“, Technology and Health Care. 2015, Jan; 23(2): 129–41.
- M.R. Dawson, C. Sherstan, J.P. Carey, J.S. Hebert, P.M. Pilarski, “Development of the Bento Arm: An Improved Robotic Arm for Myoelectric Training and Research,” MEC14: Myoelectric Controls Symposium, Fredericton, New Brunswick, August 18-22, 2014. (Preprint PDF)
- J.S. Hebert, K.M. Chan, M.R. Dawson, “Comparative Sensory Outcomes for Three Transhumeral Targeted Reinnervation Cases”. MEC14: Myoelectric Controls Symposium, Fredericton, New Brunswick, August 18-22, 2014.
- A.L. Edwards, M.R. Dawson, J.S. Hebert, R.S. Sutton, K.M. Chan, P.M. Pilarski, “Adaptive Switching in Practice: Improving Myoelectric Prosthesis Performance through Reinforcement Learning,” MEC14: Myoelectric Controls Symposium, Fredericton, New Brunswick, August 18-22, 2014. (Preprint PDF)
- G.W. Melenka, J.S. Schofield, M.R. Dawson, J.P. Carey, “Evaluation of Dimensional Accuracy and Material Properties of the MakerBot 3D Desktop Printer,”Rapid Prototyping Journal, Vol. 21 Issue:5, pp.618-627, doi: 10.1108/RPJ-09-2013-0093
- J.S. Hebert, J.L. Olson, M.J. Morhart M.R. Dawson, P.D. Marasco, T.A. Kuiken, K.M. Chan, , “Novel Targeted Sensory Reinnervation Technique to Restore Functional Hand Sensation after Transhumeral Amputation,” IEEE Transactions on Neural Systems and Rehabilitation Engineering. 2014, Jul; 22(4): 765–773.
- A.L. Edwards, A. Kearney, M.R. Dawson, R.S. Sutton, and P.M. Pilarski, “Temporal-Difference Learning to Assist Human Decision Making during the Control of an Artificial Limb,” 1st Multidisciplinary Conference on Reinforcement Learning and Decision Making (RLDM), Oct. 25-27, Princeton, New Jersey, USA, 2013. (PDF)(arXiv:1309.4714)
- P.M. Pilarski, M.R. Dawson, T. Degris, J.P. Carey, K.M. Chan, J.S. Hebert, R.S. Sutton, , “Adaptive Artificial Limbs: A Real-Time Approach to Prediction and Anticipation,” IEEE Robotics & Automation Magazine, vol. 20, no.1, pp. 53–64, March 2013. (Postprint PDF)
- P.M. Pilarski, M.R. Dawson, T. Degris, J.P. Carey, and R.S. Sutton, “Dynamic Switching and Real-time Machine Learning for Improved Human Control of Assistive Biomedical Robots,” Proceedings of the 4th IEEE International Conference on Biomedical Robotics and Biomechatronics (BioRob), June 24-27, Roma, Italy, pp. 296-302, 2012. (Preprint PDF)
- M.R. Dawson, F. Fahimi, J. P. Carey, “The Development of a Myoelectric Training Tool for Above-Elbow Amputees,” The Open Biomedical Engineering Journal, 6:5–15, 2012. (Read Online, PDF)
- M.R. Dawson, J. P. Carey, F. Fahimi, “Review of Myoelectric Training Systems,” Expert Reviews of Medical Devices,Vol.8, No.5, Pages 581-589, 2011.
- P.M. Pilarski, M.R. Dawson, T. Degris, F. Fahimi, J.P. Carey, and R.S. Sutton, “Online Human Training of a Myoelectric Prosthesis Controller via Actor-Critic Reinforcement Learning,” Proc. of the 2011 IEEE International Conference on Rehabilitation Robotics, Zurich, Switzerland, pp. 134-140, June 29–July 1, 2011. (Preprint PDF)
View Rory’s MSc thesis here.
BLINC Lab 