Wearable Robots: Enhancing Human Mobility

Last Sunday was the serial publication date, but I skipped it, so I apologize to anyone who was waiting. About two years ago, I ruptured my left posterior cruciate ligament, and since I didn’t receive rehabilitation treatment, I couldn’t walk properly, so I started rehabilitation treatment this year. While receiving rehabilitation treatment, I thought of a wearable robot!

What is a Wearable Robot?

It is also called an exoskeleton robot, and in English, it has many names such as Exoskeleton and Wearable Robot. Since it is a robot that is worn and used directly, it is a robot that resembles a person very much. Last year, while writing a thesis on the usability evaluation of lower exoskeleton robots in graduate school, I was able to learn about the physical characteristics of exoskeleton robots and how they interact with people (Physical Human-Robot Interaction).

Interface

Ergonomic design, designed to be worn by the user directly on the lower body. A characteristic of exoskeleton robots is that they are designed with comfort in mind when worn by the user. Consider whether the exoskeleton robot is safe for the user when in operation.

Machine

The above lower limb exoskeleton robot shows the movement of the joints at the hip joint area. It can operate between 0 and 100 degrees of movement.

Control

The exoskeleton robot can detect the user’s walking intention and walk, run, and climb and descend stairs. The robot detects a person’s walking movements through sensors and applies the muscle strength required by the user when walking. It works in an assistive manner.