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In this paper, we present an integrated human-in-the-loop simulation paradigm for the design and evaluation of a lower extremity exoskeleton that is elastically strapped onto human lower limbs. The exoskeleton has 3 rotational DOFs on each…
Developing exoskeleton controllers that generalize across diverse locomotor conditions typically requires extensive motion-capture data and biomechanical labeling, limiting scalability beyond instrumented laboratory settings. Here, we…
In the realm of exoskeleton control, achieving precise control poses challenges due to the mechanical delay of exoskeletons. To address this, incorporating future gait trajectories as feed-forward input has been proposed. However, existing…
Recently, the Less In More Out device, a fluidically actuated soft total artificial heart was proposed. This device uses arrays of pouch motors to achieve a positive fluidic lever when pneumatically actuated against physiological…
We present a personal mobility device for lower-body impaired users through a light-weighted exoskeleton on wheels. On its core, a novel passive exoskeleton provides postural transition leveraging natural body postures with support to the…
Soft wearable robots are a promising new design paradigm for rehabilitation and active assistance applications. Their compliant nature makes them ideal for complex joints like the shoulder, but intuitive control of these robots require…
Using lower-limbs exoskeletons provides potential advantages in terms of productivity and safety associated with reduced stress. However, complex issues in human-robot interaction are still open, such as the physiological effects of…
In the control of lower-limb exoskeletons with feet, the phase in the gait cycle can be identified by monitoring the weight distribution at the feet. This phase information can be used in the exoskeleton's controller to compensate the…
Anchor point placement is a crucial yet often overlooked aspect of exosuit design since it determines how forces interact with the human body. This work analyzes the impact of different anchor point positions on gait kinematics, muscular…
Portable pneumatic systems for 2 degree-of-freedom (DOF) soft shoulder exosuits remain underexplored, and face fundamental trade-offs between torque output and dynamic response that are further compounded by the need for multiple actuators…
Wearable sensors are gaining in popularity because they enable outdoor experimental monitoring. This paper presents a cost-effective sensorised insole based on a mesh of tactile capacitive sensors. Each sensor's spatial resolution is about…
Back-support exoskeletons are commonly used in the workplace to reduce low back pain risk for workers performing demanding activities. However, for the assistance of tasks differing from lifting, back-support exoskeletons potential has not…
Back injuries are the most prevalent work-related musculoskeletal disorders and represent a major cause of disability. Although innovations in wearable robots aim to alleviate this hazard, the majority of existing exoskeletons are obtrusive…
Micro-mechanics of parachute fabrics under tensile loads is studied using in situ X-ray micro-tomography. Results are presented for two nylon textiles commonly used in parachute systems, MIL-C-7020H Type III and MIL-C-44378(GL) Type II.…
We introduce a new isometric strain model for the study of the dynamics of cloth garments in a moderate stress environment, such as robotic manipulation in the neighborhood of humans. This model treats textiles as surfaces which are…
This paper presents the design and assessment of a fabric-based soft pneumatic actuator with low pressurization requirements for actuation making it suitable for upper extremity assistive devices for infants. The goal is to support shoulder…
Tendon-driven hand orthoses have advantages over exoskeletons with respect to wearability and safety because of their low-profile design and ability to fit a range of patients without requiring custom joint alignment. However, no existing…
A volumetric Wankel steam expander has numerous advantages over other positive displacement machines as an expansion device due to its high power to weight ratio, compactness, lower noise, vibration, and potentially lower specific cost…
Pediatric exoskeletons offer great promise to increase mobility for children with crouch gait caused by cerebral palsy. A lightweight, compliant and user-specific actuator is critical for maximizing the benefits of an exoskeleton to users.…
This paper presents a novel fabric-based thermal-haptic interface for virtual reality and teleoperation. It integrates pneumatic actuation and conductive fabric with an innovative ultra-lightweight design, achieving only 2~g for each finger…