OpenSim, a cutting-edge software for musculoskeletal modeling and simulation, is set to transform the understanding of human movement. Developed by Professor Ajay Seth, OpenSim provides a suite of tools that aid in building models, extracting biomechanical data from measurements, and generating predictive simulations. These features make it an indispensable resource for researchers and practitioners in the field of biomechanics.

Professor Seth, who currently leads the Computational Biomechanics Lab in the Department of Biomechanical Engineering at TU Delft, introduced the fundamental framework of OpenSim in a recent lecture. As a neuromuscular and musculoskeletal simulator, OpenSim is capable of complementing physical prototypes and experimental studies with detailed simulations. The lecture highlighted several examples of how these simulations can provide valuable insights that physical prototypes alone may not offer.

During the session, attendees also participated in a brief practical workshop where they used OpenSim to investigate the behavior of a passive dynamic walker in simulation. This hands-on experience demonstrated the software’s practical applications and its potential to facilitate deeper understanding of complex biomechanical processes.

Prof. Seth leads the Computational Biomechanics Lab in the Department of Biomechanical Engineering at TU Delft. The lab's mission is to develop computational models and algorithms that facilitate the acquisition, analysis, and study of human and animal movement. The team is focused on methods that quantify and explain the biological basis of movement, ranging from pathological to exceptional cases.

Before joining TU Delft, Prof. Seth was the architect of the OpenSim modeling and simulation libraries at Stanford University for nearly a decade, following a distinguished postdoctoral fellowship in Bioengineering through Simbios. Prof. Seth earned a PhD in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin and holds predoctoral degrees in Systems Design Engineering from the university of Waterloo.