Human Engineering Research Laboratories

For 80 years, PVA has been working to improve the lives of and people with disabilities, which includes a relentless commitment to finding better treatments and, one day, a cure for spinal cord injury and disease (SCI/D).

This year, six researchers are driving progress in that mission by advancing care across areas like , , and more. Now, through the , we’re looking for the next wave of breakthroughs to support.

Explore this year’s work and help shape what comes next: https://pva.org/research-resources/research-foundation/.

It's here!
Register for VISTA 2025 (in 2026).
herl.pitt.edu/vista-2025

Meet some of the world's lightest, most versatile wheelchairs.

HERL Quarterly No. 25, Vol. 1
herl.pitt.edu/newsletter

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Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have secured a $41.5 million award to reinvent the wheelchair.

The project will use advanced robotic technology to reimagine the wheelchair, incorporating a robotic arm, to improve the quality of life for people with disabilities.

“We are redesigning everything from the ground up,” said Rory Cooper, director of the Human Engineering Research Laboratories at Pitt.

Pitt is the lead university directing the project, but will work with partners at Carnegie Mellon, Cornell, Northeastern, Indiana University and Purdue.

Read more: https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2025/11/04/pitt-wheelchair-grant/stories/202511040093