At The University of Texas at Austin, Dr. Deshpande directs the Rehabilitation and Neuromuscular (ReNeu) Robotics Lab. The Lab focuses on the design and development of robotic devices to assist in rehabilitation, to improve prostheses design, and to provide fitness opportunities for the severely disabled. The study of underlying mechanisms of human movement control through human subject experiments and mathematical modeling is another major research area in the ReNeu Robotic Lab.

We are currently developing robots for providing physical therapy for shoulder, arms and hands for those surviving a stroke and for those living with a spinal cord injury. We are also designing and building a number of robotic hand prototypes toward the goal of an advanced hand prosthesis.