Design and control of an exoskeleton system for human upper-limb motion assist

Author(s):  
K. Kiguchi ◽  
T. Tanaka ◽  
K. Watanabe ◽  
T. Fukuda
2021 ◽  
Vol 42 ◽  
pp. 122-127
Author(s):  
Cristian Copilusi ◽  
Ionut Geonea ◽  
Alexandru Margine ◽  
Adrian Rosca

This research addresses attention to human upper limb experimental analysis during feeding process aiding disabled persons. The research core is focused on the experimental process of obtaining the angular amplitudes and trajectories developed by the human upper arm during feeding process. The research originality consists on the obtained results which can be used in further researches for command and control of robotic assisting devices.


GigaScience ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Giuseppe Averta ◽  
Federica Barontini ◽  
Vincenzo Catrambone ◽  
Sami Haddadin ◽  
Giacomo Handjaras ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Shedding light on the neuroscientific mechanisms of human upper limb motor control, in both healthy and disease conditions (e.g., after a stroke), can help to devise effective tools for a quantitative evaluation of the impaired conditions, and to properly inform the rehabilitative process. Furthermore, the design and control of mechatronic devices can also benefit from such neuroscientific outcomes, with important implications for assistive and rehabilitation robotics and advanced human-machine interaction. To reach these goals, we believe that an exhaustive data collection on human behavior is a mandatory step. For this reason, we release U-Limb, a large, multi-modal, multi-center data collection on human upper limb movements, with the aim of fostering trans-disciplinary cross-fertilization. Contribution This collection of signals consists of data from 91 able-bodied and 65 post-stroke participants and is organized at 3 levels: (i) upper limb daily living activities, during which kinematic and physiological signals (electromyography, electro-encephalography, and electrocardiography) were recorded; (ii) force-kinematic behavior during precise manipulation tasks with a haptic device; and (iii) brain activity during hand control using functional magnetic resonance imaging.


Robotics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 123
Author(s):  
Narek Zakaryan ◽  
Mikayel Harutyunyan ◽  
Yuri Sargsyan

Safe operation, energy efficiency, versatility and kinematic compatibility are the most important aspects in the design of rehabilitation exoskeletons. This paper focuses on the conceptual bio-inspired mechanical design and equilibrium point control (EP) of a new human upper limb exoskeleton. Considering the upper limb as a multi-muscle redundant system, a similar over-actuated but cable-driven mechatronic system is developed to imitate upper limb motor functions. Additional torque adjusting systems at the joints allow users to lift light weights necessary for activities of daily living (ADL) without increasing electric motor powers of the device. A theoretical model of the “ideal” artificial muscle exoskeleton is also developed using Hill’s natural muscle model. Optimal design parameters of the exoskeleton are defined using the differential evolution (DE) method as a technique of a multi-objective optimization. The proposed cable-driven exoskeleton was then fabricated and tested on a healthy subject. Results showed that the proposed system fulfils the desired aim properly, so that it can be utilized in the design of rehabilitation robots. Further studies may include a spatial mechanism design, which is especially important for the shoulder rehabilitation, and development of reinforcement learning control algorithms to provide more efficient rehabilitation treatment.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (13) ◽  
pp. 5865
Author(s):  
Muhammad Ahsan Gull ◽  
Mikkel Thoegersen ◽  
Stefan Hein Bengtson ◽  
Mostafa Mohammadi ◽  
Lotte N. S. Andreasen Struijk ◽  
...  

Wheelchair mounted upper limb exoskeletons offer an alternative way to support disabled individuals in their activities of daily living (ADL). Key challenges in exoskeleton technology include innovative mechanical design and implementation of a control method that can assure a safe and comfortable interaction between the human upper limb and exoskeleton. In this article, we present a mechanical design of a four degrees of freedom (DOF) wheelchair mounted upper limb exoskeleton. The design takes advantage of non-backdrivable mechanism that can hold the output position without energy consumption and provide assistance to the completely paralyzed users. Moreover, a PD-based trajectory tracking control is implemented to enhance the performance of human exoskeleton system for two different tasks. Preliminary results are provided to show the effectiveness and reliability of using the proposed design for physically disabled people.


Sensors ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (6) ◽  
pp. 2146
Author(s):  
Manuel Andrés Vélez-Guerrero ◽  
Mauro Callejas-Cuervo ◽  
Stefano Mazzoleni

Processing and control systems based on artificial intelligence (AI) have progressively improved mobile robotic exoskeletons used in upper-limb motor rehabilitation. This systematic review presents the advances and trends of those technologies. A literature search was performed in Scopus, IEEE Xplore, Web of Science, and PubMed using the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) methodology with three main inclusion criteria: (a) motor or neuromotor rehabilitation for upper limbs, (b) mobile robotic exoskeletons, and (c) AI. The period under investigation spanned from 2016 to 2020, resulting in 30 articles that met the criteria. The literature showed the use of artificial neural networks (40%), adaptive algorithms (20%), and other mixed AI techniques (40%). Additionally, it was found that in only 16% of the articles, developments focused on neuromotor rehabilitation. The main trend in the research is the development of wearable robotic exoskeletons (53%) and the fusion of data collected from multiple sensors that enrich the training of intelligent algorithms. There is a latent need to develop more reliable systems through clinical validation and improvement of technical characteristics, such as weight/dimensions of devices, in order to have positive impacts on the rehabilitation process and improve the interactions among patients, teams of health professionals, and technology.


Author(s):  
Zhi-Qiang Zhang ◽  
Lian-Ying Ji ◽  
Zhi-Pei Huang ◽  
Jian-Kang Wu

Author(s):  
Giuseppe Averta ◽  
Cosimo Della Santina ◽  
Edoardo Battaglia ◽  
Federica Felici ◽  
Matteo Bianchi ◽  
...  

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