Professor Burdick researches robotic locomotion, sensor-based motion planning algorithms, multi-fingered robotic manipulation, applied nonlinear control theory, neural prosthetics, and medical applications of robotics. Professor Burdick has been focusing more of his expertise in robotics to the development of human prosthetics for paralysis. He has been collaborating with neuroscientists and has demonstrated rehabilitation technology that could repair paralyzing spinal cord injuries successfully.