Image Credits: Kurt Hickman
Exoskeleton research is where some of the most intriguing developments in robotics are taking place. This is one of the categories where such changes can be quickly felt; especially, it's about enhancing the lives of persons with restricted mobility. Of course, any robotic system worth its salt has the ability to influence change.
The findings of several years of research into the category were just published in Nature by a team from Stanford's Biomechatronics Laboratory. The initiative had its start through simulations and laboratory work, as these things frequently do. The robot boot has only been tested to a limited extent on treadmills so far. However, the scientists behind it are preparing it for life outside of the lab.
“This exoskeleton personalizes assistance as people walk normally through the real world,” lab head Steve Collins said in a release. “And it resulted in exceptional improvements in walking speed and energy economy.”
Image Credits: Kurt Hickman
The researchers liken the assistance to removing a “30-pound backpack” from the user. Collins adds:
Optimized assistance allowed people to walk 9% faster with 17% less energy expended per distance traveled, compared to walking in normal shoes. These are the largest improvements in the speed and energy of economy walking of any exoskeleton to date. In direct comparisons on a treadmill, our exoskeleton provides about twice the reduction in effort of previous devices.
These kinds of data are provided, in part, by the emulators that serve as the basis for a large portion of the research. The team is currently attempting to commercialize the product, with ambitions to bring it to market in "the next few years." The boot is the result of almost 20 years of study at the facility. The hardware is also being modified to help with balance and lessen joint pain.
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