Authors:
Daniel Sá Pina
1
;
Joaquim Gabriel
1
and
Renato Natal
2
Affiliations:
1
Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
;
2
INEGI - Institute of Science and Innovation in Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Porto, Portugal
Keyword(s):
Biomechanics, OpenSim, Exoskeleton.
Abstract:
EUROSTAT's projections show that, by 2040, the people aged 65 or more will account to almost one fourth of the population. These statistics raise concerns over the sustainability of the society, so technological solutions have been emerging to prolong the active age of European citizens. One of the main impairments for elders is an increasing difficulty in performing daily lower-limb activities (i.e. walking, climbing stairs) due to Sarcopenia, among other issues.
Therefore, the authors are developing an active exoskeleton whose sole purpose is to assist the gait of an elderly person. The proposed system is based on a low-profile design, allowing a smaller frame that allows the device to be worn beneath loose clothing, making it more desirable to wear in public by reducing social awkwardness.
This article shows the methodology used to determine the actuation requirements for the exoskeleton. Two subjects performed a number of trials depicting daily life activities in a biomechanics
laboratory that acquires motion sensor and force-plate data. Each activity was performed with additional weights to emulate the presence of an exoskeleton.
The data was used in a multibody simulation program (OpenSim) to determine the requirements (angular speed, torque) for the actuation system in the exoskeleton.
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