Frans van der Helm

Frans van der Helm’s research links biomedical sciences and mechanical engineering. He integrates theories of neuromuscular control by the brain and through the spinal cord with highly advanced musculoskeletal models to understand the neural and biomechanical principles of human movement. The methods and models he has developed are applicable in a wide variety of fields, ranging from robotics and semi-autonomous cars to sports injury prevention, joint implants and surgical technology. Van der Helm is one of the leading figures and driving forces behind collaborative programmes linking clinical practice and technology, a field that is now booming. One example is the Medical Delta, a programme in which various parties, including university medical centres and Delft University of Technology, collaborate on technological solutions for sustainable healthcare.