Robotic exoskeletons designed to help humans with walking or physically demanding work have been the stuff of sci-fi lore for decades. Remember <a href="https://youtu.be/jtVygtT8VIc" target="_blank">Ellen Ripley in that Power Loader in Alien</a>? Or the crazy mobile platform <a href="https://youtu.be/Z2OLmFw9wR8?si=hIsWKAiRYAWGWbpP&t=85" target="_blank">George McFly wore in 2015 in Back to the Future, Part II</a> because he threw his back out?Researchers are working on real-life robotic assistance that could protect workers from painful injuries and help stroke patients regain their mobility. So far, they have required extensive calibration and context-specific tuning, which keeps them largely limited to research labs.Mechanical engineers at Georgia Tech may be on the verge of changing that, allowing exoskeleton technology to be deployed in homes, workplaces, and more.A team of researchers in <a href="https://me.gatech.edu/faculty/young" target="_blank">Aaron Young’s</a> lab have developed a universal approach to controlling robotic exoskeletons that requires no training, no calibration, and no adjustments to complicated algorithms. Instead, users can don the “exo” and go.Their system uses a kind of artificial intelligence called deep learning to autonomously adjust how the exoskeleton provides assistance, and they’ve shown it works seamlessly to support walking, standing, and climbing stairs or ramps. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1126/scirobotics.adi8852" target="_blank">They described their “unified control framework” March 20 in Science Robotics.</a>“The goal was not just to provide control across different activities, but to create a single unified system. You don't have to press buttons to switch between modes or have some classifier algorithm that tries to predict that you're climbing stairs or walking,” said Young, associate professor in the <a href="https://me.gatech.edu/" target="_blank">George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering</a>.<h3>Machine Learning as Translator</h3><img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1711697656575-_MG_8945.webp" style="width: 100%px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">A closeup view of experimental exoskeleton used in experiments that resulted in a universal controller for robotic assistance devices.Most previous work in this area has focused on one activity at a time, like walking on level ground or up a set of stairs. The algorithms involved typically try to classify the environment to provide the right assistance to users.The Georgia Tech team threw that out the window. Instead of focusing on the environment, they focused on the human — what’s happening with muscles and joints — which meant the specific activity didn’t matter.“We stopped trying to bucket human movement into what we call discretized modes — like level ground walking or climbing stairs&nbsp;— because real movement is a lot messier,” said Dean Molinaro, lead author on the study and a recently graduated Ph.D. student in Young’s lab. “Instead, we based our controller on the user’s underlying physiology. What the body is doing at any point in time will tell us everything we need to know about the environment. Then we used machine learning essentially as the translator between what the sensors are measuring on the exoskeleton and what torques the muscles are generating.”With the controller delivering assistance through a hip exoskeleton developed by the team, they found they could reduce users’ metabolic and biomechanical effort: they expended less energy, and their joints didn’t have to work as hard compared to not wearing the device at all.In other words, wearing the exoskeleton was a benefit to users, even with the extra weight added by the device itself.<blockquote>What’s so cool about this [controller] is that it adjusts to each person’s internal dynamics without any tuning or heuristic adjustments, which is a huge difference from a lot of work in the field. There’s no subject-specific tuning or changing parameters to make it work.AARON YOUNG Associate Professor, Mechanical Engineering</blockquote><a href="https://doi.org/10.1126/scirobotics.adi8852" target="_blank">The control system in this study</a> is designed for partial-assist devices. These exoskeletons support movement rather than completely replacing the effort.The team, which also included Molinaro and <a href="https://www.meche.engineering.cmu.edu/directory/bios/kang-inseung.html" target="_blank">Inseung Kang</a>, another former Ph.D. student now at Carnegie Mellon University, used an existing algorithm and trained it on mountains of force and motion-capture data they collected in Young’s lab. Subjects of different genders and body types wore the powered hip exoskeleton and walked at varying speeds on force plates, climbed height-adjustable stairs, walked up and down ramps, and transitioned between those movements.And like the motion-capture studios used to make movies, every movement was recorded and cataloged to understand what joints were doing for each activity.The <a href="https://doi.org/10.1126/scirobotics.adi8852" target="_blank">Science Robotics study</a> is “application agnostic,” as Young put it. Yet their controller offers the first bridge to real-world viability for robotic exoskeleton devices.<img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1711697699313-_MG_8771.webp" style="width: 100%px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">Researchers Aaron Young, left, and Dean Molinaro.Imagine how robotic assistance could benefit soldiers, airline baggage handlers, or any workers doing physically demanding jobs where musculoskeletal injury risk is high.Assistive robotics also could help stroke patients regain mobility. Related experiments in Young’s lab are working to understand how their hip exoskeleton and unified controller could be extended to help people recovering from stroke navigate their communities.<iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/VEvV1jnqacs?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0&amp;enablejsapi=1&amp;origin=https://www.wevolver.com" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable" data-lf-form-tracking-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true" data-lf-yt-playback-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true" data-lf-vimeo-playback-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true"></iframe><h3 id="isPasted">Helping Amputees Do More</h3>Other projects in Young’s <a href="https://www.epic.gatech.edu/" target="_blank">Exoskeleton and Prosthetic Intelligent Controls (EPIC) Lab</a> are marrying the power of robotics and AI to help adults with above-the-knee amputations navigate more effectively and children recover from neurological injuries.For adults, the lab is imagining new powered prostheses to help them navigate the world. An active study is exploring how AI can learn a patient’s gait and adapt over time to improve walking.Stacey Rice has been working with the team for a year, testing iterations of a leg prosthesis and the accompanying AI controller. She lost her leg to bone cancer 44 years ago, so she’s already seen technology improve the devices available to amputees.&nbsp;The Atlanta native is a multisport athlete and 1988 volleyball Paralympian. She said she can feel a real difference in the amount of effort she expends using the robotic assistance. <blockquote>I realized while I was on the treadmill that I wasn’t using as much energy as if I was using my own prosthesis. For me to have that energy bank is huge. There’s so much energy the body uses when you’re an amputee and you’re walking. To reserve that energy for your day-to-day activities will allow amputees to be more active during the day and do more.STACEY RICE Amputee and Research Study Participant</blockquote><img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1711697760246-_MG_8899.webp" style="width: 100%px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">Dean Molinaro walks up a height-adjustable ramp, left, and similarly adjustable stairs, right, while wearing an experimental exoskeleton. The team used these and other unique tools Young's lab, such as force plates and motion-capture cameras, to collect data in their effort to develop a unified control framework for robotic assistance devices.<h3 id="isPasted">Gamifying Pediatric Rehab<a title="Permalink to this item" href="https://coe.gatech.edu/news/2024/03/universal-controller-could-push-robotic-prostheses-exoskeletons-real-world-use#gamifying-pediatric-rehab" target="_blank"></a></h3>In other experiments, Young’s lab is working with Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and Shriners Hospital to incorporate robotics into a new approach to pediatric rehabilitation that helps patients improve their gait.&nbsp;Kids with cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injuries, and other conditions often undergo physical therapy to help correct walking abnormalities. Incorporating robotics into the process is an area Young is excited about because developing brains are especially good at relearning skills and can recover function over time.“The robotic therapy does what a physical therapist might do manually, but in an automated way. It encourages them to adopt better gait biomechanics,” Young said.In each appointment, the researchers combine a robotic exoskeleton with biofeedback systems through a game-like interface.“When the patients come in, it’s like a video game that they're playing, which both engages them and gives them feedback about their performance,” Young said. “We want them to internalize the learning. The exoskeleton will help them physically achieve their goals, but we need them to retain that and engage in the rehab process.”<h3>Regaining Balance<a title="Permalink to this item" href="https://coe.gatech.edu/news/2024/03/universal-controller-could-push-robotic-prostheses-exoskeletons-real-world-use#regaining-balance" target="_blank"></a></h3>Elsewhere in the lab, Young and his team use a unique virtual-reality treadmill system to study gait and balance, particularly for older adults or people with mobility issues from strokes or amputations.The team uses the platform to introduce significant disruptions while participants are walking, challenging them to keep or regain their balance. The resulting data —&nbsp;largely from young, athletic individuals —&nbsp;is inspiring how wearable robots should operate to help people with balance impairments stay upright.In other words, it’s a busy place. And all in service of making a future of wearable robotics a reality.“For a lot of us, mobility is something we’re able to take for granted. One of the hopes is that this work can translate to people with mobility impairments and improve their quality of life,” Molinaro said. “And also, there are times when mobility is a limitation. So we’re interested in how we push the edge of mobility, both in restoring it for those with impairments but also augmenting it for those of able body to make them even more capable.”

Researcher Aaron Young makes adjustments to an experimental exoskeleton worn by then-Ph.D. student Dean Molinaro. The team used the exoskeleton to develop a unified control framework for robotic assistance devices that would allow users to put on an "exo" and go — no extensive training, tuning, or calibration required. (Photo: Candler Hobbs)

Aaron Young’s team has developed a wear-and-go approach that requires no calibration or training.

Universal Controller Could Push Robotic Prostheses, Exoskeletons Into Real-World Use

Somanity’s story began three years ago when three friends were having a drink. Since he’d been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, Sébastien had been confined to a wheelchair. “The only way for me to walk again someday would be to have an exoskeleton,” he told his friend Mathieu Merian. The problem: Exoskeletons are expensive — very expensive. Having one would cost €150,000 to €250,000. Mathieu is 19 years old. He has just dropped his university electrical engineering track to join the Global BBA program at SKEMA Business School. Plus, he is head of My3D, a company specialized in 3D printing.&nbsp;He has that youthful insolence that has no fear of dizzying challenges, and the naivete to want to make the world a better place. Thus, he got a slightly crazy idea: create the first 3D-printed exoskeleton to allow anyone with a motor disability to once again walk, run, climb stairs and more. In brief, to live normally again and regain full bodily control, all for less than €10,000 out of pocket.The thought could have wafted away in the air, like most ideas launched under the influence, but it culminated in the creation of a new company: Somanity. Three years later, the startup has attracted investors, has its first functional prototype and plans to market its exoskeleton by the end of 2025. Make no mistake: Mathieu Merian has all the expertise and determination needed to turn his ideas into reality.<h2>The challenge: design an affordable, desirable exoskeleton.</h2>Somanity’s calling is simple. Launch a new exoskeleton prototype that allows anyone with a motor disability to walk again, for a price between €10,000 and €20,000.&nbsp;Driven by the desire to reduce all costs in the medical field, Somanity seeks to reduce the price of an exoskeleton to one-tenth by focusing on 3D printing. But its ambitions don’t stop there — the startup also wants to make its exoskeletons as appealing as the latest smartphone.“We’ve done workshops with APF France Handicap to find out what the people involved want from their exoskeleton. One man with a motor disability told us,&nbsp;‘I want an exoskeleton that makes people wish they were disabled.’&nbsp;That’s what we’re attempting to do with a medical device that doesn’t look like one,”, says Mathieu Merian, founder and CEO of Somanity. Specifically, this translates into an ergonomic, modern design for an exoskeleton available in several colors, with a futuristic, decidedly technological look. “3D printing allows us to do things that you can’t normally do at the design level, or at least to act quickly in the design process,” Merian says.<h2>Exoskeleton motorization delivered in record time</h2>The first prototypes rolled out in June 2023. Somanity then began looking for a motorization partner. “I benchmarked the various motors available, and I ran across a document from maxon devoted to motors for exoskeletons. So I contacted the company,” Merian recalls. If maxon didn’t have a standard product to offer within 48 hours, it was still good timing for Somanity, because maxon Switzerland’s medical business unit had just created a concept for an exoskeleton: an assembly called “Exoskeleton Drive” made up of an EC90 Flat motor, a reducer, an encoder and an electronic card, all integrated.“In less than 15 days, we were able to deliver this all-in-one device dedicated to exoskeletons right to Somanity. This concept device integrates enough performances to allow the structures at the start of the project to characterize their needs more precisely,” explains Virginie Mialane-Lacroix, medical market manager maxon France. The startup could then count on maxon technical support to best integrate this product.<img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNzA5Nzk3MzA5NzA1LVNLRU1BLU1haGlldS1NZXJpYW4tTG9yYS1CYXJyYS1QaG90b2dyYXBoeS00Ny5qcGciLCJlZGl0cyI6eyJyZXNpemUiOnsid2lkdGgiOjk1MCwiZml0IjoiY292ZXIifX19" style="width: 100%px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">The Exoskeleton prototype. © Lora Barra – SKEMA Business School for Somanity<h3>Tight time to market and clarity about the market</h3>“maxon products are very well documented, and we’ve benefited from excellent technical support — so good that in less than a month the first motor was implemented. Before the end of August we ordered the remaining motors to implement all the legs and at the beginning of January we integrated the motor to make the last degree of hip opening,” says the Somanity CEO.“The first six months of this collaboration were ultra high-performance. We are used to working with other startups, but it’s rare for one to have that level of maturity at this stage of the project. Somanity is characterized by its determination and very clear identification of the need, and the means to go along with that need,” Virginie Mialane willingly confides. The startup is, in fact, aware that the product currently offered by maxon isn’t optimal yet, but they know that improvements can be made later. And Virginie Mialane-Lacroix continues: “It sets them apart that they accept the current limits while still focusing on what is essential. That means coming up with a working demo within the time and budget allotted.”&nbsp;<img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNzEwMTU2NTk1NjE2LVByb2pla3QtNTMyMC0xLjM4LmpwZyIsImVkaXRzIjp7InJlc2l6ZSI6eyJ3aWR0aCI6OTUwLCJmaXQiOiJjb3ZlciJ9fX0=" style="width: 769px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">The maxon Exoskeleton Drive. Image credit: maxonFor its part, Somanity is delighted to have a partner that understands the responsiveness challenges of a startup. “Being able to make a phone call, transfer some money and have the motor a week later is priceless. Having engineers who listen, who answer our questions and guide our technical choices, is too,” Merian confirms.Once the mechanical part was validated, Somanity could finalize their design. As of now — February 2024 — Somanity has a final prototype. Sébastien, Mathieu’s friend who has a motor disability, will be able to start the first tests in March.<img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNzA5Nzk3Mzk2OTMyLVNLRU1BLU1haGlldS1NZXJpYW4tTG9yYS1CYXJyYS1QaG90b2dyYXBoeS0xMC5qcGciLCJlZGl0cyI6eyJyZXNpemUiOnsid2lkdGgiOjk1MCwiZml0IjoiY292ZXIifX19" style="width: 100%px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">The exoskeleton combines various materials and technologies to achieve its goal of comfort and useability. © Lora Barra – SKEMA Business School for Somanity&nbsp;<h2>From medical to space: Somanity exoskeletons are looking far ahead</h2>To respond to their time-to-market challenges, Somanity has chosen to bring out the first version of their exoskeleton as a Class 1 medical device. A second, more powerful version, with enriched functionalities and onboard technologies, can then come out later as a Class IIA medical device.&nbsp;But Somanity exoskeletons aren’t limited to the medical field! “We have a partnership with the European Space Agency (ESA) to make exoskeletons for generating gravity. The objective is to make the body think it is in Earth’s gravity while maintaining the freedom of zero gravity in an international space station,” Somanity’s CEO explains. The purpose? To limit the loss of muscle mass and bone density while saving astronauts long hours spent exercising.<img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNzEwMTU2NTAyODM1LTA2LTEyLTIwMTggMTMtMTctNDkuanBnIiwiZWRpdHMiOnsicmVzaXplIjp7IndpZHRoIjo5NTAsImZpdCI6ImNvdmVyIn19fQ==" style="width: 769px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">The maxon Exoskeleton Drive Image credit: maxon<h3>HMI and IA: exciting future developments</h3>Currently, an exoskeleton’s human-machine interface (HMI) is reduced to a screen and a joystick. Ultimately, Somanity intends to offer an HMI similar to that of screens in cars, with a display of the environment, the possibility of updating its exoskeleton, access to real-time data, and more. “The final goal is always the user’s comfort. Ultimately, when the technology is operational, we’ll also have cerebral control,” the CEO says. By 2028, Somanity also intends to integrate an empathetic assistant into its exoskeleton, to prevent users from suffering mentally and to compensate for the shortage of health professionals. “With these AI-based technologies, it is becoming possible to ease the work of caregivers while improving patients’ lives,” says Merian.<img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNzA5Nzk3NTIyMjcxLVNLRU1BLU1haGlldS1NZXJpYW4tTG9yYS1CYXJyYS1QaG90b2dyYXBoeS0zNS5qcGciLCJlZGl0cyI6eyJyZXNpemUiOnsid2lkdGgiOjk1MCwiZml0IjoiY292ZXIifX19" style="width: 100%px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">The HMI of the exoskeleton will continue to be refined. © Lora Barra – SKEMA Business School for SomanityIn addition to freedom of movement, the exoskeleton has the advantage of allowing a person previously seated in a wheelchair to assume an upright position, at the height of people they’re speaking to, looking directly into their eyes and no longer at the height of a child. “Sometimes people speak to my friend as if he’s mentally disabled because he is in a chair. Being in an upright position allows people to overcome a psychological barrier!,” the Somanity CEO assures. “In addition to the psychological impact, there is a physical and psychomotor effect: use of exoskeletons combats the secondary effects of the seated position,” adds Virginie Mialane-Lacroix, medical market manager maxon France.<img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNzEwMTU2NTQ0NzQ0LTA2LTEyLTIwMTggMTMtMjEtMjUuanBnIiwiZWRpdHMiOnsicmVzaXplIjp7IndpZHRoIjo5NTAsImZpdCI6ImNvdmVyIn19fQ==" style="width: 769px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">The maxon Exoskeleton Drive Image credit: maxon<h2>Fundraising in progress</h2>Innovations by people for people — these words sum up Somanity’s whole philosophy. To achieve its goals, the startup seeks to raise €2 million to €4 million in 2024. These funds would especially allow them to position themselves on the American market. “We’re looking for investors ready to assist us, because we’re aware that fundraising will come with its share of changes at the team level,” the CEO says. The startup therefore hopes to find investors aligned with the human dimension of its project, especially able to help it with medical validations and with drafting SMQs.Are we heading toward an ultramodern future where disabled people will be envied for their high-tech exoskeletons? “A lot of people think it's great that we’re developing exoskeletons. But it’s also really sad, because the reason we have to do it is that our living spaces are not adapted to people in wheelchairs. To be honest, I look forward to a day when I’ll stop selling exoskeletons because an operation will put people on their feet again. When that day comes, I won’t be the least bit sad to be made obsolete,” explains Mathieu Merian, CEO of Somanity.Find out more: <a href="http://www.somanity.com" target="_blank">www.somanity.com</a>&nbsp;

Somanity aims to revolutionize mobility for individuals with motor disabilities by developing an affordable 3D-printed exoskeleton.

Somanity: Exoskeletons by people for people

In this episode, we talk about how a soft robotic exoskeleton from Harvard and Boston University is allowing patients suffering from Parkinson’s Disease to get their independence back by being able to walk safely without extra assistance.

Podcast: Exoskeleton To Help Parkinson's Patients Walk

This article was discussed in our <a href="https://www.wevolver.com/profile/the.next.byte" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Next Byte podcast</a>.&nbsp;<iframe height="200px" width="100%" frameborder="no" scrolling="no" seamless="" src="https://player.simplecast.com/c7a0deb3-ad50-40fa-8df2-1273193fb185?dark=false" class="fr-draggable" data-gtm-yt-inspected-9="true" data-lf-form-tracking-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true" data-lf-yt-playback-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true" data-lf-vimeo-playback-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true"></iframe> The full article will continue below.<hr> <iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/pAWrypkeDXM?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;enablejsapi=1&amp;origin=https://www.wevolver.com" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable" data-lf-form-tracking-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true" data-lf-yt-playback-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true" data-lf-vimeo-playback-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true" data-gtm-yt-inspected-9="true" id="72780686" title="Soft robotic device improves walking for individual with Parkinson’s disease">&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe>Freezing is one of the most common and debilitating symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, a neurodegenerative disorder that affects more than 9 million people worldwide. When individuals with Parkinson’s disease freeze, they suddenly lose the ability to move their feet, often mid-stride, resulting in a series of staccato stutter steps that get shorter until the person stops altogether. These episodes are one of the biggest contributors to falls among people living with Parkinson’s disease.&nbsp;Today, freezing is treated with a range of pharmacological, surgical or behavioral therapies, none of which are particularly effective.&nbsp;What if there was a way to stop freezing altogether?Researchers from the <a href="https://seas.harvard.edu/" target="_blank">Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences&nbsp;</a>(SEAS) and the <a href="https://www.bu.edu/sargent/" target="_blank">Boston University Sargent College of Health &amp; Rehabilitation Sciences</a> have used a soft, wearable robot to help a person living with Parkinson’s walk without freezing. The robotic garment, worn around the hips and thighs, gives a gentle push to the hips as the leg swings, helping the patient achieve a longer stride.&nbsp;The device completely eliminated the participant’s freezing while walking indoors, allowing them to walk faster and further than they could without the garment’s help.&nbsp;“We found that just a small amount of mechanical assistance from our soft robotic apparel delivered instantaneous effects and consistently improved walking across a range of conditions for the individual in our study,” said <a href="https://seas.harvard.edu/person/conor-walsh" target="_blank">Conor Walsh</a>, the Paul A. Maeder Professor of Engineering and Applied Sciences at SEAS and co-corresponding author of the study.&nbsp;The research demonstrates the potential of soft robotics to treat this frustrating and potentially dangerous symptom of Parkinson’s disease and could allow people living with the disease to regain not only their mobility but their independence.&nbsp;The research is published in <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-023-02731-8" target="_blank">Nature Medicine.&nbsp;</a>For over a decade, Walsh’s<a href="https://biodesign.seas.harvard.edu/" target="_blank">&nbsp;Biodesign Lab&nbsp;</a>at SEAS has been developing assistive and rehabilitative robotic technologies to improve mobility for individuals’ post-stroke and those living with ALS or other diseases that impact mobility. Some of that technology, specifically an exosuit for post-stroke gait retraining, received support from the <a href="https://wyss.harvard.edu/" target="_blank">Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering</a>, and was licensed and commercialized by <a href="https://rewalk.com/restore-exo-suit/" target="_blank">ReWalk Robotics</a>.In 2022, SEAS and Sargent College received a grant from the <a href="https://innovation.masstech.org/news/baker-polito-administration-awards-harvard-and-boston-university-3-million-assistive-robotics" target="_blank">Massachusetts Technology Collaborative</a><a href="https://masstech.org/" target="_blank">&nbsp;</a>to support the development and translation of next-generation robotics and wearable technologies. The research is centered at the <a href="https://www.movelab.seas.harvard.edu/" target="_blank">Move Lab</a>, whose mission is to support advances in human performance enhancement with the collaborative space, funding, R&amp;D infrastructure, and experience necessary to turn promising research into mature technologies that can be translated through collaboration with industry partners.This research emerged from that partnership.“Leveraging soft wearable robots to prevent freezing of gait in patients with Parkinson’s required a collaboration between engineers, rehabilitation scientists, physical therapists, biomechanists and apparel designers,” said Walsh, whose team collaborated closely with that of Terry Ellis, &nbsp;Professor and Physical Therapy Department Chair and Director of the <a href="https://www.bu.edu/neurorehab/" target="_blank">Center for Neurorehabilitation at Boston University.&nbsp;</a><blockquote>Leveraging soft wearable robots to prevent freezing of gait in patients with Parkinson’s required a collaboration between engineers, rehabilitation scientists, physical therapists, biomechanists and apparel designers.CONOR WALSHPAUL A. MAEDER PROFESSOR OF ENGINEERING AND APPLIED SCIENCES</blockquote>The team spent six months working with a 73-year-old man with Parkinson’s disease, who — despite using both surgical and pharmacologic treatments — endured substantial and incapacitating freezing episodes more than 10 times a day, causing him to fall frequently. These episodes prevented him from walking around his community and forced him to rely on a scooter to get around outside.&nbsp;In previous research, Walsh and his team leveraged human-in-the-loop optimization to demonstrate that a soft, wearable device could be used to augment hip flexion and assist in swinging the leg forward to provide an efficient approach to reduce energy expenditure during walking in healthy individuals. &nbsp;Here, the researchers used the same approach but to address freezing. The wearable device uses cable-driven actuators and sensors worn around the waist and thighs. Using motion data collected by the sensors, algorithms estimate the phase of the gait and generate assistive forces in tandem with muscle movement.The effect was instantaneous. Without any special training, the patient was able to walk without any freezing indoors and with only occasional episodes outdoors. He was also able to walk and talk without freezing, a rarity without the device.&nbsp;“Our team was really excited to see the impact of the technology on the participant’s walking,” said Jinsoo Kim, former PhD student at SEAS and co-lead author on the study.&nbsp;During the study visits, the participant told researchers: “The suit helps me take longer steps and when it is not active, I notice I drag my feet much more. It has really helped me, and I feel it is a positive step forward. It could help me to walk longer and maintain the quality of my life.”&nbsp;“Our study participants who volunteer their time are real partners,” said Walsh. “Because mobility is difficult, it was a real challenge for this individual to even come into the lab, but we benefited so much from his perspective and feedback.”&nbsp;The device could also be used to better understand the mechanisms of gait freezing, which is poorly understood.&nbsp;“Because we don’t really understand freezing, we don’t really know why this approach works so well,” said Ellis. “But this work suggests the potential benefits of a ’bottom-up’ rather than ’top-down’ solution to treating gait freezing. We see that restoring almost-normal biomechanics alters the peripheral dynamics of gait and may influence the central processing of gait control.”The research was co-authored by Jinsoo Kim, Franchino Porciuncula, Hee Doo Yang, Nicholas Wendel, Teresa Baker and Andrew Chin. Asa Eckert-Erdheim and Dorothy Orzel also contributed to the design of the technology, as well as Ada Huang, and Sarah Sullivan managed the clinical research. It was supported by the National Science Foundation under grant CMMI-1925085; the National Institutes of Health under grant NIH U01 TR002775; and the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative, Collaborative Research and Development Matching Grant.

Robotic exosuit eliminated gait freezing, a common and highly debilitating symptom

Soft robotic, wearable device improves walking for individual with Parkinson's disease

This article originally appeared in <a href="https://news.engin.umich.edu/2023/10/choosing-exoskeleton-settings-like-a-pandora-radio-station/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Michigan Engineering</a> and has been republished with permission.<hr>Taking inspiration from music streaming services, a team of engineers at the University of Michigan, Google and Georgia Tech has designed the simplest way for users to program their own exoskeleton assistance settings.Of course, what’s simple for the users is more complex underneath, as a machine learning algorithm repeatedly offers pairs of assistance profiles that are most likely to be comfortable for the wearer. The user then selects one of these two, and the predictor offers another assistance profile that it believes might be better. This approach enables users to set the exoskeleton assistance based on their preferences using a very simple interface, conducive to implementing on a smartwatch or phone.“It’s essentially like Pandora music,” said <a href="https://me.engin.umich.edu/people/faculty/elliott-rouse/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Elliott Rouse</a>, U-M associate professor of robotics and mechanical engineering and corresponding author of the study in Science Robotics. “You give it feedback, a thumbs up or thumbs down, and it curates a radio station based on your feedback. This is a similar idea, but it’s with exoskeleton assistance settings. In both cases, we are creating a model of the user’s preferences and using this model to optimize the user’s experience.”<iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/OJ2ApTzZU2w?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0&amp;enablejsapi=1&amp;origin=https://www.wevolver.com" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable" data-lf-form-tracking-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true" data-lf-yt-playback-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true" data-lf-vimeo-playback-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true">&nbsp;</iframe>The team tested the approach with 14 participants, each wearing a pair of ankle exoskeletons as they walked at a steady pace of about 2.3 miles per hour. The volunteers could take as much time as they wanted between choices, although they were limited to 50 choices. Most participants were choosing the same assistance profile repeatedly by the 45th decision.&nbsp;After 50 rounds, the experimental team began testing the users to see whether the final assistance profile was truly the best—pairing it against 10 randomly generated (but plausible) profiles. On average, participants chose the settings suggested by the algorithm about nine out of 10 times, which highlights the accuracy of the proposed approach.<img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1697684045536-ExoChoice-content1.jpg" style="width: 766px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">Ellie Wilson, a PhD student in mechanical engineering, demonstrates a new control strategy that customizes assistance provided by a pair of ankle exoskeletons. A machine learning algorithm presents her with two assistance profiles that it has selected based on previous data. She chooses one, and it presents another for comparison. After about 45 choices, most users have found an assistance profile that they choose repeatedly. Photo: Brenda Ahearn/Michigan Engineering“By using clever algorithms and a touch of AI, our system figures out what users want with easy yes-or-no questions,” said Ung Hee Lee, a recent U-M doctoral graduate from mechanical engineering and first author of the study, now at the robotics company Nuro. “I’m excited that this approach will make wearable robots comfortable and easy to use, bringing them closer to becoming a normal part of our day-to-day life.”The control algorithm manages four exoskeleton settings: how much assistance to give (peak torque), how long to go between peaks (timing), and how the exoskeleton both ramps up and reduces the assistance on either side of each peak. This assistance approach is based on how our calf muscle adds force to propel us forward in each step.Rouse reports that few groups are enabling users to set their own exoskeleton settings.“In most cases, controllers are tuned based on biomechanical or physiological results. The researchers are adjusting the settings on their laptops, minimizing the user’s metabolic rate. Right now, that’s the gold standard for exoskeleton assessment and control,” Rouse said.“I think our field overemphasizes testing with metabolic rate. People are actually very insensitive to changes in their own metabolic rate, so we’re developing exoskeletons to do something that people can’t actually perceive.”&nbsp;In contrast, user preference approaches not only focus on what users can perceive but also enable them to prioritize qualities that they feel are valuable.The study builds on the team’s previous effort to enable users to apply their own settings to an ankle exoskeleton. In that study, users had a touchscreen grid that put the level of assistance on one axis and the timing of the assistance on another. Users tried different points on the grid until they found one that worked well for them.&nbsp;Once users had discovered what was comfortable, over the course of a couple of hours, they were then able to find their settings on the grid within a couple of minutes. The new study cuts down that longer period of discovering which settings feel best as well as offering two new parameters: how the assistance ramps up and down.<img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1697684067237-ExoChoice-content3-1024x683.jpg" style="width: 766px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">A close-up of the exoskeleton worn by Ellie Wilson. Photo: Brenda Ahearn/Michigan EngineeringThe data from that earlier study were used to feed the machine learning predictor. An evolutionary algorithm produces variations based on the assistance profiles that those earlier users preferred, and then the predictor—a neural network—ranked those assistance profiles. With each choice the users made, new potential assistance profiles were generated, ranked and presented to the user alongside their previous choice.&nbsp;The study was funded by X, Google’s “Moonshot Factory,” Robotics at Google (now Google Deepmind), and the D. Dan and Betty Kahn Foundation. The concept is currently licensed by Alphabet spinoff <a href="https://www.skipwithjoy.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Skip Innovations</a>.

Using a simple and convenient touchscreen interface, the algorithm learns the assistance preferences of the wearer.

Choosing exoskeleton settings like a Pandora radio station

Many fluid-based wearable assistive technologies today require a large and noisy pump that is impractical &ndash; if not impossible &ndash; to integrate into clothing. This leads to a contradiction: wearable devices are routinely tethered to un&shy;-wearable pumps. Now, researchers at the Soft Transducers Laboratory (<a href="https://www.epfl.ch/labs/lmts/" target="_blank">LMTS</a>) in the School of Engineering have developed an elegantly simple solution to this dilemma.<iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/forx6TA_1wg?&wmode=opaque&rel=0&enablejsapi=1&origin=https://www.wevolver.com" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable" data-gtm-yt-inspected-9="true" data-lf-form-tracking-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true" data-lf-yt-playback-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true" data-lf-vimeo-playback-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true"></iframe> &ldquo;We present the world&rsquo;s first pump in the form of a fiber; in essence, tubing that generates its own pressure and flow rate,&rdquo; says LMTS head Herbert Shea. &ldquo;Now, we can sew our fiber pumps directly into textiles and clothing, leaving conventional pumps behind.&rdquo;The research has been <a href="http://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.ade8654" rel="noopener" target="_blank">published</a> in the journal Science.<img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1681388882269-f6e5d6b6.jpg" style="width: 766px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">The LMTS fiber pump &copy; LMTS EPFL&nbsp;<img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1681388906955-df3aef6c.jpg" style="width: 766px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">The fiber pumps woven into fabric &copy; LMTS EPFL&nbsp;<h2 id="isPasted">Lightweight, powerful&hellip;and washable</h2>Shea&rsquo;s lab has a history of forward-thinking fluidics. In 2019, they produced the world&rsquo;s first <a href="https://actu.epfl.ch/news/nature-a-stretchable-pump-for-the-next-generation-/" target="_blank">stretchable pump</a>.&ldquo;This work builds on our previous generation of soft pump,&rdquo; says Michael Smith, an LMTS post-doctoral researcher and lead author of the study. &ldquo;The fiber format allows us to make lighter, more powerful pumps that are inherently more compatible with wearable technology.&rdquo;The LMTS fiber pumps use a principle called charge injection electrohydrodynamics (EHD) to generate a fluid flow without any moving parts. Two helical electrodes embedded in the pump wall ionize and accelerate molecules of a special non-conductive liquid. The ion movement and electrode shape generate a net forward fluid flow, resulting in silent, vibration-free operation, and requiring just a palm-sized power supply and battery.To achieve the pump&rsquo;s unique structure, the researchers developed a novel fabrication technique that involves twisting copper wires and polyurethane threads together around a steel rod, and then fusing them with heat. After the rod is removed, the 2 mm fibers can be integrated into textiles using standard weaving and sewing techniques.The pump&rsquo;s simple design has a number of advantages. The materials required are cheap and readily available, and the manufacturing process can be easily scaled up. Because the amount of pressure generated by the pump is directly linked to its length, the tubes can be cut to match the application, optimizing performance while minimizing weight. The robust design can also be washed with conventional detergents.<img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1681388950012-578e7f6a.jpg" style="width: 766px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">Fabrication of the fiber pump &copy; LMTS EPFL&nbsp;<img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1681388971485-9c7249d4.jpg" style="width: 766px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">Woven pump demonstration &copy; LMTS EPFL&nbsp;<h2 id="isPasted">From exoskeletons to virtual reality</h2>The authors have already demonstrated how these fiber pumps can be used in new and exciting wearable technologies. For example, they can circulate hot and cold fluid through garments for those working in extreme temperature environments or in a therapeutic setting to help manage inflammation; and even for those looking to optimize athletic performance.&ldquo;These applications require long lengths of tubing anyway, and in our case, the tubing is the pump. This means we can make very simple and lightweight fluidic circuits that are convenient and comfortable to wear,&rdquo; Smith says.The study also describes artificial muscles made from fabric and embedded fiber pumps, which could be used to power soft exoskeletons to help patients move and walk.The pump could even bring a new dimension to the world of virtual reality by simulating the sensation of temperature. In this case, users wear a glove with pumps filled with hot or cold liquid, allowing them to feel temperature changes in response to contact with a virtual object.<h2>Pumped up for the future</h2>The researchers are already looking to improve the performance of their device. &ldquo;The pumps already perform well, and we&rsquo;re confident that with more work, we can continue to make improvements in areas like efficiency and lifetime,&rdquo; says Smith. Work has already started on scaling up the production of the fiber pumps, and the LMTS also has plans to embed them into more complex wearable devices.&ldquo;We believe that this innovation is a game-changer for wearable technology,&rdquo; Shea says.<img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1681389002841-5a0f4fdc.jpg" style="width: 766px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">The pumps integrated into a glove &copy; LMTS EPFL&nbsp;<img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1681389020252-1c9f5836.jpg" style="width: 766px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">Infrared image of the pumps integrated into a t-shirt &copy; LMTS EPFL&nbsp;<hr>ReferencesSmith M, Cacucciolo V, Shea H. Fiber pumps for wearable fluidic systems. Science. 2023 Mar 31;379(6639):1327-1332. doi:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.ade8654" rel="noopener" target="_blank">10.1126/science.ade8654</a>. Epub 2023 Mar 30.

The fiber pumps knit into fabric © LMTS EPFL

EPFL researchers have developed fiber-like pumps that allow high-pressure fluidic circuits to be woven into textiles without an external pump. Soft supportive exoskeletons, thermoregulatory clothing, and immersive haptics can therefore be powered from pumps sewn into the fabric of the devices themselves.

Thread-like pumps can be woven into clothes

Via in pad is the design practice of placing a via in the copper landing pad of a component. Compared to standard PCB via routing, via in pad allows a design to use smaller component pitch sizes and further reduce the PCBs overall size. With component manufacturers pushing smaller parts every year and the demand from consumers for smaller devices, the usage of via in pad practices by hardware engineers has become more commonplace. In this article, we will discuss the differences between via in pad and traditional vias, when should you use via in pad, and how to design for it. <h3>Via in Pad? What makes them different from Traditional Vias</h3> <img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNjc3MTY1NDI0NDQxLVZpYSBpbiBwYWQuanBnIiwiZWRpdHMiOnsicmVzaXplIjp7IndpZHRoIjo5NTAsImZpdCI6ImNvdmVyIn19fQ==" style="width: 556px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"> With traditional vias, the signal is routed away from the pad and then to the via. This allows the application of solder mask to prevent solder paste from wicking into the via during the reflow process. In doing so, this prevents a situation that can cause the pad and component connection to fail due to insufficient solder. With via in pad, the drill hole for the via is inside the pad. This means you can not tent the via with solder mask. Leaving the via open to allow the paste to wick into the barrel will cause reliability problems during manufacturing. <img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNjc3MTY1NDgyODQ5LVZpYSBpbiBwYWQgc29sZGVyIHBhc3RlIHdpY2suanBnIiwiZWRpdHMiOnsicmVzaXplIjp7IndpZHRoIjo5NTAsImZpdCI6ImNvdmVyIn19fQ==" style="width: 540px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"> To reduce manufacturing defects and increase yield, it is best to implement via in pad by having your PCB manufacturer cap the via. This is accomplished by first filling the via with a conductive epoxy and then plating over with copper. Most contract PCB assembly manufacturers will not allow via in pad without first filling and then plating over the via. <img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNjc3MTY1NTI5NDg3LUNhcHBlZCB2cyBUcmFkaXRpb25hbCBWaWEgLmpwZyIsImVkaXRzIjp7InJlc2l6ZSI6eyJ3aWR0aCI6OTUwLCJmaXQiOiJjb3ZlciJ9fX0=" style="width: 556px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"> <h3>When should I use Via in Pad?</h3>Trying to route and escape component packages with sub 0.5mm pitch with traditional routing methods will cause Design Rule Check errors due to trace width, annular ring, and drill size limitations. Manufacturing limitations on trace size do not allow for smaller and more compact traces to be made with traditional PCB fabrication methods. For these small pitch components, the only effective way to route them is with capped via in pad as this allows the PCB routing to be as compact as possible. <img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNjc3MTY1NTkwMTE4LVRyYWRpdGlvbmFsIFZpYSBSb3V0aW5nIEZhaWxzIERSQy5qcGciLCJlZGl0cyI6eyJyZXNpemUiOnsid2lkdGgiOjk1MCwiZml0IjoiY292ZXIifX19" style="width: 571px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"> <img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNjc3MTY1NjQzMTkyLUZhaWxzIERSQy5qcGciLCJlZGl0cyI6eyJyZXNpemUiOnsid2lkdGgiOjk1MCwiZml0IjoiY292ZXIifX19" style="width: 565px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"> Capped via in pad can simplify routing for complex BGA and LGA packages as well. Instead of the traditional fan out, the signals can go straight into the PCB. Surface routing is minimized which can allow components like bypass capacitors to be placed as close as possible to other components, minimizing parasitic inductance. Also, this enables shorter paths to power and ground planes which will help minimize EMF emissions of high-frequency designs. <img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNjc3MTcyOTUwNTA0LWxhc3QgMy5wbmciLCJlZGl0cyI6eyJyZXNpemUiOnsid2lkdGgiOjk1MCwiZml0IjoiY292ZXIifX19" style="width: 434px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">Vias in thermal pads can also help with heat management. High-power surface mount parts typically have a thermal pad that mounts to the PCB. To dissipate the heat more efficiently, it is wise to drop vias through the PCB to the other side of the PCB to increase the copper area for heat release.Why not use via in pad for every via then? The advantage gained in reducing component fan out and routing complexity is offset by increased manufacturing complexity and material costs of the PCB fabrication process. If the hardware design can be accomplished with traditional style via routing then it is best to avoid via in pad.<h3 id="isPasted">Designing for Via in Pad</h3>Implementing via in pad is very similar to traditional vias. What differs is how it affects the design rule checks for the PCB and how the manufacturing files are created. You will need to make sure your via in pad meets the manufacturer&rsquo;s minimal annular ring requirement. The pad size of the component&rsquo;s footprint must be equal to or larger than the minimal annular ring size. This is usually not an issue as most pad sizes are larger than vias but as BGA packages get smaller this will become a design problem to overcome. If the landing pad&rsquo;s diameter for the BGA is smaller than the combined via and annular ring diameter, then using Solder Mask Defined pads will be your best bet. Consult the part manufacture for more information. <img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNjc3MTcyODE1NDY5LWxhc3QgMi5wbmciLCJlZGl0cyI6eyJyZXNpemUiOnsid2lkdGgiOjk1MCwiZml0IjoiY292ZXIifX19" style="width: 514px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"> To properly manufacture PCBs that have via in pads, an additional manufacturing file is necessary. Besides the standard excellon drill file that is required, a drill file that just contains the vias that are in component pads and need to be capped and filled is also needed. Using two separate files reduces confusion on which vias need to be capped and reduces manufacturing costs by making sure traditional vias do not get filled and capped. Consult your EDA tool to see if there is an option to do this. If not, modifying your drill file with a Gerber viewer might be needed to create this extra file.<h3>Exceptions to Always Capping Via in Pads</h3>With most design rules there are exceptions and the &ldquo;Always cap via in pads&rdquo; is no exception to that rule! Center pads on QFN packages and thermal center pads for surface mount power parts generally benefit from having open via in pads. Without vias in the center pad of a QFN you can sometimes get trapped gasses or a lifting motion during reflow. These can cause the component to tilt to one side and lose coplanarity to the PCB. The vias in the center pad allow gasses made from the flux in the solder paste to more easily escape and also allows any excess solder paste that is under the part to be drawn through. With thermal pads this extra solder paste that fills the vias has the benefit of improving the thermal conductivity of the via. <img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNjc3MTcyNzAzMzAyLWxhc3QucG5nIiwiZWRpdHMiOnsicmVzaXplIjp7IndpZHRoIjo5NTAsImZpdCI6ImNvdmVyIn19fQ==" style="width: 589px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"> <h3>Conclusion</h3>With electronic components ever shrinking smaller, hardware engineers will need to utilize and learn new tools and techniques to implement these components in a reliable and scalable way. Via in pad allows the smallest component fan out possible with current PCB construction techniques. When looking at using via in pad techniques, consider the extra manufacturing cost and time that places on your product&rsquo;s bill of materials. Make sure to work closely with your contract PCBA manufacturer as they will be able to give suggestions in regards to how via in pad can change the manufacturing process. Most manufacturers will agree that if your hardware design can be implemented without via in pad, then for cost and reliability reasons the design should avoid via in pad. Ready to get started? <a href="https://factory.macrofab.com/signup" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">ORDER ONLINE</a>

What makes via in pad different from traditional vias?  Find out in this short blog. 

Via in Pad PCB Design

Carbon fiber has made its way into the design and manufacturing of many different products, and that&rsquo;s because of its impressive performance. One of its most recent cutting-edge applications is human exoskeletons. Imagine wearing a carbon fiber structure over your clothes to assist you at work.&nbsp;There are already exoskeletons on the market to help humans perform better, work safer, and even monitor their health and strain through the Internet of Things (IoT). But there still remain challenges associated with the manufacture of carbon fiber parts for these to become mainstream items. In this article, we&rsquo;ll discuss what an exoskeleton is and why carbon fiber is an excellent material to use. We will also look at current trends for manufacturing carbon fiber composite parts, as well as the challenges and how we might be able to innovate to overcome those roadblocks with engineering ingenuity.<h1>What are exoskeletons?</h1>An exoskeleton, as the term implies, is when the skeleton is external on a living creature. Typically, exoskeletons are seen in nature on animals such as spiders, clams, and other insects. [1] But increasingly, the term exoskeleton is being used to describe a similar structure used to support humans. In this case, the exoskeleton is a piece of equipment a person wears externally that can assist them by providing increases in strength and stability.&nbsp;<img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNjcwODQ5NTMxMTg2LWV4byAyLmpwZyIsImVkaXRzIjp7InJlc2l6ZSI6eyJ3aWR0aCI6OTUwLCJmaXQiOiJjb3ZlciJ9fX0=" style="width: 300px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">An exoskeleton prototype. Image credit: Iberdrola.Human exoskeletons can be purely mechanical, meaning the structure itself supports the worker through elements, such as the frame, hinges, and possibly springs. Exoskeletons can also be electrical and mechanical, incorporating the assistance of an electric motor. For example, the German Bionic exoskeleton in the image below supports a worker&rsquo;s lower back with two servo motors and a carbon fiber frame. The purpose of the exoskeleton is to prevent injuries when workers are performing repetitive operations, including lifting, carrying, and squatting.&nbsp;<img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNjcwODQ5NTk0MjQ1LWV4byAzLnBuZyIsImVkaXRzIjp7InJlc2l6ZSI6eyJ3aWR0aCI6OTUwLCJmaXQiOiJjb3ZlciJ9fX0=" style="width: 300px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">The German Bionic exoskeleton incudes two small motors: Image credit: German Bionic.&nbsp;<h1 id="isPasted">Why is carbon fiber an excellent choice for exoskeletons?</h1>Carbon fiber is being used in many engineering disciplines to replace structures previously constructed with steel or aluminum, because of its strength and stiffness. In order to compare the strength of materials we can examine the ultimate tensile strength. Carbon fiber has an ultimate tensile strength of ~3,500 MPa.[2] Aluminum has an ultimate tensile strength of 70 MPa and steel (ASTM-A36) has an ultimate tensile strength of ~400 MPa. [3]To compare the stiffness of materials we can use Young&rsquo;s Modulus, which is also the ratio of stress over strain. Carbon fiber reinforced plastics (CFPR) have a Young&rsquo;s Modulus of ~150 GPa, while aluminum alloys are ~70 GPa and steel is ~200 GPa.[3] These are average figures, and the exact composition of the material will determine the precise Young&rsquo;s Modulus, but as you can see, carbon fiber composite materials have similar stiffness to traditional metals used in structures and machinery. These composites also have two important advantages over traditional metals when it comes to building an exoskeleton.First, composites are much lighter than metals making it easier for workers to wear the exoskeleton and be assisted through repetitive tasks. Second, carbon fiber has the ability to be molded into a complex geometry fairly easily. In comparison, metals must be bought in a certain shape or must have a complicated die designed to form parts. But if you use carbon fiber, you create the part on a mold, using a precise lay-up. This means you can precisely maximize strength and stiffness for your design with minimal mass.&nbsp;Depending on the specific carbon fiber composites you use, you &ldquo;lay up&rdquo; the sheets of fibers in a specific pattern to generate the material properties you require. Again, this is a benefit for the exoskeleton that can be manufactured to support the complex geometries of the human body and the variations in size and shape seen across the population.&nbsp;<h1>Current trends in carbon fiber composite manufacturing</h1>The most common carbon fiber manufacturing methods are still rather labour-intensive. The first method is wet lay-up, which is where the carbon fiber sheets are placed or &ldquo;laid up&rdquo; into the mold and the resin is applied by brush, brush<a href="#_msocom_1" id="_anchor_1" language="JavaScript" name="_msoanchor_1" target="_blank">[DI1]</a> , or spray gun. The second is preglamination, where the sheets of carbon fiber have already been infused with the resin, and after they are laid up in the mold, they are cured in an autoclave. The third is resin transfer molding (FRM), which lays up the fiber sheets into a special mold that will be sealed shut and resin is injected at high pressures. [4]To assist each of these methods, 3D printing has been applied at different stages of the process. The molds themselves are now being created using a 3D printer, which results in a more accurate product that requires less rework and surface geometry quality control than a hand-built or cut mold. In addition, there have been advancements in 3D printing the actual carbon fiber composites, using either a resin with chopped fibers embedded or by printing continuous fibers in the horizonal plane for strategic strength and reinforcement of the polymer. [4]<h1>Challenges associated with carbon fiber composites</h1>Depending on the material requirements, budget, and available skilled labour, any of the methods we mentioned could be used to manufacture a carbon fiber exoskeleton. However, many of these methods are time-consuming, labor-intensive, and very precise, meaning human error in these processes happens quite often. And while some error or variation can be eliminated by using prepreg materials or RFM in order to standardize the amount of resin used, there can still be variation in lay up.&nbsp;Large-scale manufacturing of carbon fiber composites for many different applications share common challenges. Finding, training, and retaining talent to manufacture molds, lay up fiber sheets, and perform quality control are roadblocks for many businesses. While the trends in using 3D printing in some aspects of manufacture could help alleviate the burden on the human labour required, these processes are still expensive and time-consuming. There is a real need in the market for solutions to overcome the challenges of manufacturing carbon fiber components.&nbsp;<h1>Overcoming manufacturing challenges using carbon fiber from Mitsubishi&nbsp;Composites Toolbox</h1>Mitsubishi Chemical Group has developed the Composites Toolbox, a combination of high-quality composite materials, experts, and manufacturing methods to rewrite what&rsquo;s possible in engineering. &nbsp;By replacing traditional materials with composite solutions that meet future performance, consumer, and sustainability requirements, more engineers can help optimize several applications.The Composite toolbox includes a variety of materials; ranging from glass, carbon, or natural fiber reinforcements with a thermoset or thermoplastic matrix. A reduction of the environmental footprint can be obtained with low carbon footprint solutions, such as&rdquo; recycled carbon fiber (rCF), recycled thermoplastics, or biobased thermoset resins.Are you using manual layup and think you need to compromise on freedom of design? The design freedom of some of these materials, such as <a href="" target="_blank">KyronTEX</a>, enables new designs at scale with high process efficiency due to the elimination of various intermediate process steps.<h2>Composite Engineering Challenge</h2>Mitsubishi Chemical Group is inviting innovators, entrepreneurs, and early adopters at universities, (pre-) startups, and scaleups that need fiber-reinforced composites to realize their prototype, part, product, or application.&nbsp;We welcome projects, programs, and companies in the field of new mobility (EV, e-motor, battery casing, etc.), autonomous (delivery) vehicles, people movers, robotics, aerospace, space, bicycles, UAV, AAV, bionics (wheelchairs, exoskeletons, prosthetics), alternative energy (production, storage, transport), self-sensing or self-healing, sport &amp; leisure, alternative (low carbon footprint) fibers and more!The winning entry will be rewarded with a partnership with Growth Garage,&nbsp;Business Incubator of the MCG Advanced Materials Division.&nbsp;This partnership package is valued at $25,000 and will be tailored to the winning team&rsquo;s needs according to their current business and product development stage.&nbsp;<a class="button-main-action" href="https://wevlv.co/homepage-banner" target="_blank">Read more about the challenge here.</a><h2 id="isPasted">Key Dates</h2><table><tbody><tr><td>Composite Challenge Launch&nbsp;</td><td>Monday, October 24th, 2022</td></tr><tr><td>Challenge Close&nbsp;</td><td>Sunday 22 January 2023&nbsp;</td></tr><tr><td>Finalists Announced&nbsp;</td><td>Wednesday 1 February 2023&nbsp;</td></tr><tr><td>Wevolver Community Vote&nbsp;</td><td>From 1-12 February 2023&nbsp;</td></tr><tr><td>Winners announcement&nbsp;</td><td>Tuesday 21 February 2023&nbsp;</td></tr></tbody></table><h2 id="isPasted">About Mitsubishi Chemical Group Advanced Materials Division and Business Incubator Growth Garage</h2>MCG Advanced Materials Division&nbsp;is a leading global manufacturer of high-performance materials in the form of semi-finished products and finished parts. The company has locations in 20 countries and more than 2,800 employees. Its specialty engineering thermoplastics and composites are superior in performance to metals and other materials and are used in a wide range of applications, primarily in the capital goods industry. The company is continuously developing new areas of applications in close cooperation with industry leaders in a wide variety of customer markets.&nbsp;Growth Garage is the Business Incubator of the MCG Advanced Materials Division. Our mission is to support and grow new ideas using our technologies and advanced engineering materials to help tackle some of today&#39;s biggest engineering challenges. We are offering the opportunity for engineers and innovators to pitch us their ideas and receive manufacturing support and services.&nbsp;<img data-fr-image-pasted="true" src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNjY2NTk4MjA2NTg0LU1DRyBsb2dvIGJhbm5lci5qcGciLCJlZGl0cyI6eyJyZXNpemUiOnsid2lkdGgiOjk1MCwiZml0IjoiY292ZXIifX19" style="width: 300px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">References<ol><li>Encyclopedia Britannica [Internet]. Exoskeleton c2017 Jan 31 [cited 9 Nov 2022]. Available from: <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/exoskeleton-anatomy" target="_blank">https://www.britannica.com/science/exoskeleton-anatomy</a></li><li>Dragonplate.com [Internet]. What is carbon fiber? c2022 [cited 16 Nov 2022]. Available from <a href="https://dragonplate.com/what-is-carbon-fiber#:~:text=The%20stiffness%20of%20a%20material,500%20ksi%20(3.5%20Gpa)" target="_blank">https://dragonplate.com/what-is-carbon-fiber#:~:text=The%20stiffness%20of%20a%20material,500%20ksi%20(3.5%20Gpa)</a></li><li>The Engineering ToolBox [Internet]. Young&rsquo;s Modulus, tensile strength and yield strength values for some materials c2003 [cited 16 Nov 2022]. Available from <a href="https://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/young-modulus-d_417.html" target="_blank">https://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/young-modulus-d_417.html</a>&nbsp;</li><li>Formlabs.com [Internet]. How to manufacture carbon fiber parts c2022 [cited 16 Nov 2022]. Available from <a href="https://formlabs.com/blog/composite-materials-carbon-fiber-layup/" target="_blank">https://formlabs.com/blog/composite-materials-carbon-fiber-layup/</a>&nbsp;</li></ol>

Exoskeletons made with carbon fiber composites using cutting-edge manufacturing techniques can assist workers in performing repetitive tasks.

Could carbon fiber exoskeletons become common assistive wear for workers?

For years, the Stanford Biomechatronics Laboratory has captured imaginations with their exoskeleton emulators &ndash; lab-based robotic devices that help wearers walk and run faster, with less effort. Now, these researchers will turn heads out in the &ldquo;wild&rdquo; with their first untethered exoskeleton, featured in a paper <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-022-05191-1" id="isPasted" target="_blank">published</a> Oct. 12 in Nature.&nbsp;<iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-vTk-TRN0C8?&wmode=opaque&rel=0&enablejsapi=1&origin=https://www.wevolver.com" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable" data-lf-form-tracking-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true" data-lf-yt-playback-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true" style="width: 767px; height: 430px;"></iframe>After years of development in lab settings, researchers in the Stanford Biomechatronics Laboratory, have revealed their first exoskeleton that can assist with walking out in the &ldquo;wild.&rdquo;&nbsp;&ldquo;This exoskeleton personalizes assistance as people walk normally through the real world,&rdquo; said <a href="https://profiles.stanford.edu/steven-collins" target="_blank">Steve Collins</a>, associate professor of mechanical engineering who leads the Stanford Biomechatronics Laboratory. &ldquo;And it resulted in exceptional improvements in walking speed and energy economy.&rdquo;This &ldquo;robotic boot&rdquo; has a motor that works with calf muscles to give the wearer an extra push with every step. But, unlike other exoskeletons out there, this push is personalized thanks to a machine-learning-based model that was trained through years of work using emulators.&ldquo;On a treadmill, our device provides twice the energy savings of previous exoskeletons,&rdquo; said Patrick Slade, who worked on the exoskeleton as a PhD student and a <a href="https://humanperformance.stanford.edu/" target="_blank">Wu Tsai Human Performance Alliance</a> Postdoctoral Fellow at Stanford. &ldquo;In the real world, this translates to significant energy savings and walking speed improvements.&rdquo;The ultimate aim is to help people with mobility impairments, particularly older people, move throughout the world as they like. With this latest breakthrough, the research team believes the technology is ready for commercialization in the coming few years.&ldquo;The first time you put an exoskeleton on can be a bit of an adjustment,&rdquo; said Ava Lakmazaheri, a graduate student in the Biomechatronics Laboratory who wore the exoskeleton in tests. &ldquo;But, honestly, within the first 15 minutes of walking, it starts to feel quite natural. Walking with the exoskeletons quite literally feels like you have an extra spring in your step. It just really makes that next step so much easier.&rdquo;<h2>Exoskeletons for the real world</h2>The major barrier for an effective exoskeleton in the past was individualization. &ldquo;Most exoskeletons are designed using a combination of intuition or biomimicry, but people are too complicated and diverse for that to work well,&rdquo; Collins explained.To address that problem, this group relied on their exoskeleton emulators &ndash; large, immobile, expensive lab setups that can rapidly test how best to assist people and discover the blueprints for effective portable devices to use outside the lab. With students and volunteers hooked up to the emulators, the researchers collected motion and energy expenditure data to understand how the way a person walks with the exoskeleton relates to how much energy they are using.These data revealed the relative benefits of different kinds of assistance offered by the emulator. It also informed a machine-learning model that the real-world exoskeleton now uses to adapt to each wearer. Unlike the emulator, the untethered exoskeleton can monitor movement using only inexpensive wearable sensors integrated into the boot.&ldquo;We measure force and ankle motion through the wearables to provide accurate assistance,&rdquo; said Slade. &ldquo;By doing this, we can carefully control the device as people walk and assist them in a safe, unobtrusive way.&rdquo;<h2>A 30-pound boost</h2>The exoskeleton makes walking easier and can increase speed by applying torque at the ankle, replacing some of the function of the calf muscle. As users take a step, just before their toes are about to leave the ground the device helps them push off.<img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1665885979684-20220518_exoskeleton_8.webp" style="width: 766px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">Ava Lakmazaheri, a graduate student in the Biomechatronics Laboratory, walking while wearing the untethered exoskeleton. (Image credit: Kurt Hickman)&nbsp;When a person is first using the exoskeleton, it provides a slightly different pattern of assistance each time the person walks. By measuring the resulting motion, the machine learning model determines how to better assist the person the next time they walk. It takes only about one hour of walking for the exoskeleton to customize to a new user.In tests, the researchers found their exoskeleton exceeded their expectations. According to their calculations, the energy savings and speed boost were equivalent to &ldquo;taking off a 30-pound backpack.&rdquo;&ldquo;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,&rdquo; said Collins. &ldquo;In direct comparisons on a treadmill, our exoskeleton provides about twice the reduction in effort of previous devices.&rdquo;The next step for the exoskeleton is to see what it can do for the target demographic: older adults and people who are beginning to experience mobility decline due to disability. The researchers also plan to design variations that improve balance and reduce joint pain, and to work with commercial partners to turn the device into a product.&ldquo;This is the first time we&rsquo;ve seen an exoskeleton provide energy savings for real-world users,&rdquo; said Slade. &ldquo;I believe that over the next decade we&rsquo;ll see these ideas of personalizing assistance and effective portable exoskeletons help many people overcome mobility challenges or maintain their ability to live active, independent, and meaningful lives.&rdquo;&ldquo;We&rsquo;ve been working towards this goal for about 20 years, and I&rsquo;m honestly a little stunned that we were finally able to do it,&rdquo; said Collins. &ldquo;I really think this technology is going to help a lot of people.&rdquo;

A close-up of the untethered exoskeleton, which monitors movement using inexpensive sensors. (Image credit: Kurt Hickman)

After years of careful development, engineers have created a boot-like exoskeleton that increases walking speed and reduces effort outside of the lab.

Stanford exoskeleton walks out into the real world

For the past few years Dr Matthew Dickinson, Senior Lecturer at The University of Central Lancashire (UCLan), has been involved in the &lsquo;Primary Engineer MacRobert Medal&rsquo;. Through the initiative, Matthew partnered with a local student to undertake research using the Ultimaker S5 that went on to be recognized at the UN COP26 conference.<section>A firm believer in encouraging young people to think outside the box, Matthew is a keen advocate of the award which celebrates the innovation of young people, connecting them to Universities to turn their ideas into a reality. When Krystyna Marshall, a 15-year old student from Sir John Thursby Community College in Burnley, entered the competition, with an idea to aid the mobility of children, Matthew knew that this idea was special.Krystyna submitted her idea after seeing the struggles of her cousin living with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA). Krystyna wanted to come up with an idea to provide support and give extra strength to her cousin&rsquo;s back muscles and spine. Krystyna proposed a Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) jacket based on the idea of an exoskeleton and her invention was just one of three to win gold. She is one of six people from across the UK to be recognized as a leading creative problem solver in engineering innovation, through the award.<img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1655469892836-uclan-exoskleteon_team.webp" style="width: 766px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">Krystyna with the exoskeleton model&nbsp;<h2 id="isPasted">The challenge</h2>Fitting an SMA jacket to the human body creates multiple challenges. The initial idea was to manufacture the exoskeleton from aluminium.However, when considering the growth rate of children and the resulting changes that would have to occur to the exoskeleton, costs became too high. Looking for alternative production methods, Matthew turned to 3D Printing. By producing low-cost 3D printed parts, the technology offered a high level of customization and reproducibility enabling the exo-skeleton jacket to become a solution for the prevention of injury and rehabilitation.<img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1655469917629-uclan-exoskeleton-3d-print.webp" style="width: 766px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">An exoskeleton is an assistive mechanical device worn externally to assist with movement or prevent injury&nbsp;Using his Ultimaker 2+ printer, Matthew designed his first-generation exoskeleton and started prototyping using PLA. His results were both promising and an inspiration for further development but the geometries he was able to design and print became limited by the single extrusion print head of the Ultimaker 2+.<h2>Moving forward: Prototyping the exoskeleton</h2>To move past the limitations of the Ultimaker 2+, Matthew approached <a href="https://www.createeducation.com/" target="_blank">The CREATE Education Project</a>.CREATE Education is a UK reseller that works solely with education organisations to support and provide access to 3D printing and technologies. As part of their offering, they introduced Matthew to the 3D printer loan scheme which was how he was able to step up to the Ultimaker S5.The Ultimaker S5 offers dual extrusion and opened up the new material combinations and possibilities that helped propel the project forward.The progression to the second generation prototype looked at 3D printing with multimaterials such as Nylon and TPU. With the Ultimaker S5, Matthew started experimenting with these materials using a PLA internal core and testing the external shell material in Nylon and TPU to find out which performed the best. Matthew discovered that they could produce components that would conform to a person yet provide rigidity because of the soft exterior and hardened interior.Matthew is currently working on the third generation prototype and has manufactured a much sleeker design. He has also done the first test on a human body to support the lower limbs and the outcome has been very promising.Taking advantage of Ultimaker&rsquo;s ecosystem, Matthew optimized his 3D printing experience via the Ultimaker Digital Factory. Providing him with the ability to print remotely, create a digital library and monitor progress from any location. Matthew was able to work on the project in locations and at times that were convenient for him. The analytics available from Cura and the Digital Factory provide Matthew with material costs and printing times to enable him to plan the production of the exoskeleton and incorporate cost reductions into new iterations.<iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/pa5iyTwCLdo?&wmode=opaque&rel=0&enablejsapi=1&origin=https://www.wevolver.com" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable" data-lf-yt-playback-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true" style="width: 766px; height: 431px;"></iframe><h2 id="isPasted">The results</h2>Through the use of the Ultimaker S5, Krystyna&rsquo;s idea to improve her cousin&#39;s life went from concept and design to prototyping and manufacturing in just six months. Matthew has stated that without the reliability and reproducibility of the Ultimaker S5 combined with Ultimaker Digital Factory software, he would not have been able to complete the project in such a short period of time.Following the completion of the project, Krystyna, Matthew, and his team at UCLan were named the inaugural winners of the 2021 Primary Engineer MacRobert Medal at COP26.Matthew is now working with medical students at UCLan to look at how bacteria can transfer to the exoskeleton from a human body. Professors from the university&#39;s biomechanics department are also working on this project to support it from a human ergonomics perspective. They are currently working on the third-generation prototype and have manufactured a much sleeker design. After completing the first test on a human body that supports the lower limbs, the outcome was very promising and they will soon reveal this design.<img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1655469974115-uclan-3d-print-medical-model.webp" style="width: 766px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">An assistive device prototype made with 3D printed parts&nbsp;In addition to Matthew&rsquo;s work within education, he has also become a chair member on the subcommittee for the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). He is now advising the international exoskeleton standards to ensure exoskeletons are manufactured safely for human use. His involvement with the ASTM has enabled him to interface with international organizations, such as Ford, Boeing, NASA, and The UK Space Agency.Through the combined efforts of Matthew and the ASTM, the technology behind exoskeletons is being introduced and taught to students in the UK and the USA. Their goal is to educate and inspire students about the human enhancing benefits of exoskeletons. To do this they have produced 5 short 10-minute episodes of interviews with industry professionals along with a design and build your own exoskeleton challenge. The challenge has been created by Matthew and this is now making introducing 3D printing into schools more accessible.Matthew hopes to see the accessibility of exoskeletons soar in the not-so-distant future. His prediction is that 3D printing will be used by everyone to replace parts at home to help them become less reliant on waiting for parts from the manufacturer.</section>

An exoskeleton is an assistive mechanical device worn externally to assist with movement or prevent injury

Matthew partnered with a local student to undertake research using the Ultimaker S5 that went on to be recognized at the UN COP26 conference.

UCLan: 3D printing award-winning medical research into exoskeletons

Director of Installation and Maintenance for VodafoneZiggo, Nicole Hoebink lives &ldquo;happily&rdquo; in Den Bosch with her husband and her 14-year-old son. Walking their dogs is one of her favorite activities to relax and clear up her mind. Nicole has a background in economics. She describes herself as very customer-centered and explains she has always been concerned with the customer and everything that revolves around it. Her approach for successful customer service? &ldquo;I work with my team to motivate them because I believe that people truly make a difference when contributing to a great customer experience.&rdquo; For her, diversity and inclusion are critical, as long as they are paired with good leadership.<h2>You have had several interesting working experiences before VodafoneZiggo. How long have you been in your latest role?</h2>I started my career in banking. Quickly I realized that I loved working with people, making things better, and delivering outstanding results. After that, I worked for a big kitchen company, where I had to implement a customer service. My start at VodafoneZiggo is actually a funny story. When I accepted Vodafone&#39;s offer, in 2016, as Head of Customer Services for B2B and B2C, we already knew about the upcoming joint venture between Vodafone and Ziggo at the end of the year. So I often heard: &quot;Nicole, you had a great job, and now you are moving to a company that is going to have a major change soon. You might not even have a job after that. What are you doing?&quot; But, typical me, I thought that integrating two massive forces like Vodafone and Ziggo was a great challenge, and I wanted to be part of it and learn from it.The Director of Customer Operations asked me to apply for the function of Installation and Maintenance Director. I was not even sure what this meant. Now, I oversee all Technicians, Supply chain, Order Fulfillment and Support departments. I love it if I can influence things to make them better - and that&#39;s what I&#39;ve been doing for four and a half years now.<h2>Give us some examples of challenging aspects of your daily tasks and how you tackle them.</h2>It is tricky to stay connected with all the technicians we have all over the Netherlands (our team has more than 1000 technicians), so we must create means for that. Most of the day, they are alone with the customer. So we developed a special app to ensure that they have easy ways to reach out to us.Another challenge is that the population of technicians is getting older, which means they sometimes have a hard time performing their tasks - digging in the ground to restore damaged cables, for example, is not easy work. So we came up with what is called the Exoskeleton. The Exoskeleton is a wearable device that works in tandem with the user. It supports shoulders and legs. We have many technicians who are fully able to work again. It doesn&#39;t replace going to the physician as it doesn&#39;t repair anything on your body. But it helps you move better without pain.<img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1654601438211-exoskelet.png" style="width: 766px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"><h2 id="isPasted">How has the pandemic affected your work?</h2>It was undoubtedly the most challenging situation ever. We just became indispensable: telecom providers are responsible to keep people and vital services connected. There was a massive need in both in technical capacity and customer assistance. With established home offices, children taking online lessons, and leisure reduced to virtual sessions, people naturally used more connectivity in their homes.However, servicing customers in a lockdown was a challenge. We needed to make sure customers and our colleagues were safe whenever there was onsite assistance needed. We organized several online sessions with my teams to update everyone, make sure they were safe, and inspire them, reminding our technicians they were basically the most important people in the organization at that moment, as they were the ones in the clients&rsquo; homes helping them. Understandably there were still some worries on how to minimize any risks for customers and colleagues. So we quickly organized a remote assistance department because, in several cases, the customer just needs some guidance, and the necessary aid doesn&#39;t require a visit. This way, we avoided direct contact between our technicians and the customers as much as possible.<h2>How is it for you to be a female in a male-dominated field?</h2>I don&#39;t see it as a problem or a challenge nowadays. In the beginning, I experienced difficulties, sure. The kitchen company I mentioned was very traditional, and I was one of the first women to hold a management position there. It was my first experience, and I had to work very hard to prove that I was more than capable to do this job. But once I did that, they were great and started giving me new projects and challenges. It was nice to see that it is possible to change opinions on this matter.If you are not that expressive, it can be tricky, because it is true, you have to work very hard in meetings, for example, to get people to listen to you. Within VodafoneZiggo, about 95% of all technicians are male. But when you engage in a friendly manner and make clear what to expect from you and what you expect from them, there is no problem.<img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1654601519868-IMG_79451.jpg" style="width: 766px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"><h2 id="isPasted">How can leadership enhance diversity in the workplace?</h2>Diversity is essential, at the same time the differences in character, thinking, and experiences are also important than the focus on a specific gender, color, or religion. Those are the things that make a great team, from my perspective. Coming from different backgrounds and different characters and perspectives ensures that people have distinct points of view. Even though the team of technicians are mostly male, I still feel like I&#39;m in a very diverse environment because I automatically see different personalities and histories when we work together.Diversity only works when paired with inclusion, equity, and good leadership that listens and gives people space and freedom to contribute to the team. Good leadership also motivates team members to be openminded to investigate their own biases and blind spots and educate themselves. If you create a culture where people listen and are listened to, are open for feedback, and look at their blind spots, you can do great things together.<h2>Who has been your biggest inspiration or role model throughout your career?</h2>Some people were important throughout different moments of my life. My father encouraged me to go out there, learn, and be open to doing new things. He was the one I could always call to chat about my working or private life and discuss the challenges I was facing. Then, there was this friend who inspired me to look differently at things and broaden my horizons. And there was a boss of mine whose conduct made me think, &quot;wow, that&#39;s the kind of attitude that can have a real impact in the world.&quot;I owe a lot to several different individuals regarding how they inspired and empowered me to be a better version of myself. Actually, everywhere I am, I try to look at people and observe how they act and communicate to see if I can learn from that. Any person can be inspiring for you in their distinctive way - you just have to be attentive.<h2>What would be your advice for other aspiring females in the tech environment?</h2>First of all, stay close and true to yourself. Second, listen: really, sincerely. Be curious, open, understanding. Be there to engage and inspire them. Furthermore, I always make sure that when I make a promise, to a colleague or an organization, I live up to my word. That makes you a reliable person, and I think that&#39;s very important.

Director of Installation and Maintenance for VodafoneZiggo, Nicole Hoebink lives “happily” in Den Bosch with her husband and her 14-year-old son. Walking their dogs is one of her favorite activities to relax and clear up her mind. Nicole has a background in economics.

Fe+male Tech Heroes Role Models 23 - Nicole Hoebink: 'Diversity only works when paired with inclusion, equity, and good leadership'

Many of our daily activities involve our hands&rsquo; prehensile abilities. While able-bodied people don&rsquo;t think twice when using a spoon or lifting a glass, these actions are nearly impossible for someone unable to grasp things with their fingers. Nearly 12 million people worldwide survive a stroke every year, and half of them are left with at least some limits on the use of their hands. Various portable, robotic systems as well as human-machine interfaces have been developed over the last few years to address this problem, yet they are typically too complex or expensive for daily use.<iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/t1Nipm_wJzw?&wmode=opaque&rel=0&enablejsapi=1&origin=https://www.wevolver.com" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable" data-lf-yt-playback-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true" style="width: 768px; height: 428px;" data-gtm-yt-inspected-11="true" id="47173731"></iframe>Emovo Care has now come up with a device that is specifically designed to overcome these obstacles. The startup&rsquo;s engineers developed Emovo Grasp with the help of disabled users over the course of several years, and then improved it further through several rounds of testing in hospitals and rehabilitation centers. The company recently gained an ISO European certification needed to market their product as a medical device.<h2>The hand automatically adjusts</h2>The term &ldquo;exoskeleton&rdquo; often has daunting, futuristic connotations. In recent years, however, these devices have gotten smaller and smaller and will soon be available for regular use by those who most need them. Emovo Grasp consists of two patented, artificial tendons resembling thin cables inserted into a sheath. They attach along the back of the hand using silicon rings placed on each finger. The motor and the remote control, which lets the user adjust the force being applied, are in small, separate cases. This design frees up the palm of the hand and the tips of the fingers in order to maximize sensory input.When activated by the user, the device applies light pressure on the index then the middle finger so that they each pivot and come into contact with an object. The hand automatically adjusts its grasp on even irregularly shaped objects to ensure the most natural movement possible. Another button on the remote control gives the opposite command, so that the cables generate a pulling force that causes the fingers to straighten and release the object. The artificial, bio-inspired tendons are similar to the hand&rsquo;s natural system of muscles and tendons. &ldquo;Our design produces both gentle movements and a strong grasp,&rdquo; says CEO Luca Randazzo, who developed this technology during his thesis and postdoc at the EPFL Brain-Machine Interface and Biorobotics Laboratories. The device itself never acts on its own &ndash; the user is always in control so they can avoid dropping things or gripping at the wrong time.<blockquote>Patients could train for an extra 15 minutes each day following their standard treatment, or take the device home to continue their rehabilitation. This device is very promising because repetition is key to progress.<footer>Anne-Lise Joray-Tendon, a physiotherapist at the Centre Rencontres</footer></blockquote><h2>&ldquo;Repetition is key to progress&rdquo;</h2><img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNjUyNzk1Mzk5MDkxLTYyOTV4NDE5OS5qcGciLCJlZGl0cyI6eyJyZXNpemUiOnsid2lkdGgiOjk1MCwiZml0IjoiY292ZXIifX19" style="width: 768px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">&copy; 2022 Alain HerzogMore than a hundred people &ndash; patients, therapists and neurologists &ndash; provided input on Emovo Grasp through longitudinal studies and guided discussions during the device&rsquo;s development process. Recently, its benefits have been noted by neurologists and therapists at the Centre Rencontres de Courfaivre in the Jura region, and in Italy and Austria, where around 30 brain injury patients are currently participating in a clinical study. Anne-Lise Joray-Tendon, a physiotherapist at the Centre Rencontres, sees great therapeutic value in the device: &ldquo;Patients could train for an extra 15 minutes each day following their standard treatment, or take the device home to continue their rehabilitation. This device is very promising because repetition is key to progress.&rdquo;The startup is only a small part of Randazzo&rsquo;s mission. &ldquo;My sister is disabled, and I&rsquo;ve always been keen to develop simple devices that can help people in their everyday lives,&rdquo; he says. Emovo Grasp is not designed to restore full functionality to the user, but enabling a disabled person to make even a few essential movements is often a small revolution in itself.&ldquo;I remember the first time I tried this device out,&rdquo; says Balz Heusler, one of the first users. &ldquo;The next day, after seven years of complete immobility, I could move my index finger two millimeters without help &ndash; that was amazing.&rdquo; Emovo Care co-founder and COO Iselin Fr&oslash;ybu adds: &ldquo;We are still collecting data to develop reliable statistics, but patients report that after the first few uses they feel that their hand is part of their body again, whereas they used to just neglect it.&rdquo;<h2>A medical device company<img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNjUyNzk1NDYxMDM4LWFmZTE4YTMxLmpwZyIsImVkaXRzIjp7InJlc2l6ZSI6eyJ3aWR0aCI6OTUwLCJmaXQiOiJjb3ZlciJ9fX0=" style="width: 766px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">Emovo Care&#39;s Team &copy; 2022 Alain Herzog&nbsp;</h2>&ldquo;We&rsquo;re now a recognized medical device company and not just a team of engineers making cool things in their lab,&rdquo; Randazzo says with a smile. The company has sought to keep the cost of Emovo Grasp down to make it accessible to more people, and they made it easy to use so that patients can operate it on their own.Emovo Care will provide its device to clinics and research institutions interested in collaborating. And the company is currently raising funds with an eye towards a market launch next year. After that, they plan to further develop their invention. &ldquo;For example, we plan to integrate an application that compiles data to show patients where they are in the rehabilitation process,&rdquo; says Randazzo, &ldquo;and we want to add more intuitive control features, such as interpreting the patient&rsquo;s intention through brain or muscle signals.&rdquo;

Working closely with users and therapists, EPFL spin-off Emovo Care has developed a light and easy-to-attach hand exoskeleton for people unable to grasp objects following a stroke or accident. The device has been successfully tested in several hospitals and rehabilitation centers.

Exoskeleton device helps stroke victims regain hand function

In this episode, we talk about how exoskeleton technology is being leveraged to treat parkinsons and how a new approach for more efficient, personalized exoskeletons could be the catalyst for wide scale adaptation. As always, you can find these and other interesting &amp; impactful engineering articles on Wevolver.com.&nbsp;<iframe height="200px" width="100%" frameborder="no" scrolling="no" seamless="" src="https://player.simplecast.com/2690990e-5486-4d21-9474-be2ada6a7cd7?dark=false" class="fr-draggable" data-lf-yt-playback-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true" data-lf-form-tracking-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true" data-lf-vimeo-playback-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true"></iframe><hr>This podcast is sponsored by <a href="https://www2.mouser.com/" id="isPasted" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Mouser Electronics</a>. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;<img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNjUwMzcyMDgxMzQyLU1vdXNlci1zcG9uc29yLTEtYS5qcGciLCJlZGl0cyI6eyJyZXNpemUiOnsid2lkdGgiOjk1MCwiZml0IjoiY292ZXIifX19" style="width: 766px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"><hr><h3 id="isPasted">EPISODE NOTES</h3>(2:53) - Exosuit Sensor For Parkinsons(16:07) - Personalized ExoskeletonsEpisode 66 was brought to you by Mouser Electronics, Farbod &amp; Daniel’s favorite electronics distributor. Click <a href="https://www.mouser.com/applications/robotic-exoskeletons/" target="_blank">here</a> to read the article explaining exoskeleton technology.<hr>About the podcast:Every day, some of the most innovative universities, companies, and individual technology developers share their knowledge on Wevolver. To ensure we can also provide this knowledge for the growing group of podcast listeners, we started a collaboration with two young engineers, Daniel Scott Mitchell &amp; Farbod Moghaddam who discuss the most interesting content in this podcast series.&nbsp;To learn more about this show, please visit the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wevolver.com/profile/the.next.byte" target="_blank">shows page</a>. By following the page, you will get automatic updates by email when a new show is published.Be sure to give us a follow and review on&nbsp;<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/nl/podcast/the-next-byte/id1548255861?l=en" target="_blank">Apple</a> podcasts,&nbsp;<a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/6lPPsRtegnivsRUEsQ09R7?si=IPMiah7xT_apJtPjqvXMlA" target="_blank">Spotify</a>, and most of your favorite podcast platforms!Take a few seconds to leave us a review. It really helps!&nbsp;<a href="https://apple.co/2RIsbZ2" target="_blank">https://apple.co/2RIsbZ2</a>if you do it and send us proof, we’ll give you a shoutout on the show.

MyoExo integrates a series of sensors into a wearable device capable of detecting slight changes in muscle strain and bulging, enabling it to measure and track the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. Credit: Oluwaseun Araromi

In this episode, we talk about how exoskeleton technology is being leveraged to treat parkinsons and how a new approach for more efficient, personalized exoskeletons could be the catalyst for wide scale adaptation. 

Podcast: Personalized Exoskeletons & Treating Parkinson's

Alexey Ledyukov, a student at ITMO’s Faculty of Control Systems and Robotics, has designed an exoskeleton that will be able to help lift up to 80 kilograms easily. At the same time, the suit itself doesn’t weigh much: you can move and even run in it freely. In this interview, Alexey shared how he managed to create his first exoskeleton while still in school and how his project can be of use to rescuers and airsoft fans.&nbsp;<h2 dir="ltr" id="isPasted">How did you come up with the idea to create an exoskeleton?</h2>I’ve been into robotics since the eighth grade; I made a radio-controlled tank myself at the time. Then I decided to design something more complex and tried to create an exoskeleton. My grandfather helped me – together we welded the first skeleton out of wire. We manually measured each piece, calculated everything, left marks, and welded the pieces together. So, gradually, we created our first Frankenstein. It had lots of welding scars so it looked kind of creepy. Plus, it lacked stiffness, as it was made out of binding wire. When I reassembled it, I noticed that its back was bent because of the weight.I took notes from this experience when creating my second exoskeleton – I improved the construction and added new moving points. My grandfather and I ended up building two versions; I’ve designed both passive and active exoskeletons. Now I’m working on my fifth active skeleton.<h2 dir="ltr">What is the difference between active and passive exoskeletons?</h2>An active exoskeleton has an additional energy source and it helps the person wearing it with a certain task. They’re in use in the army and the industry. Passive exoskeletons take on only part of the weight that the people wearing them have to carry.Modern active exoskeletons have an issue – they barely allow their users to move. You can’t run when wearing them, it’s hard to even walk because they are very heavy.<div class="fr-img-space-wrap"><img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1632996673430-1213707.jpg" style="width: 766px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">Passive exoskeleton&nbsp;</div><h2 dir="ltr" id="isPasted">What was the first weight you lifted using your suit? How did it feel?</h2>It was a lead car accumulator that weighed about 15-20 kilograms. I could feel its weight but for the most part, it was the skeleton that dealt with it. In general, wearing an exoskeleton is like driving – if just one screw is loose, you’ll feel it immediately.<h2 dir="ltr">Did you present your project when applying to ITMO?</h2>When I was still in school, I used to take part in the Baltic Scientific and Engineering Competition, Geek Picnic, and the Academy of Digital Technologies. Then I applied to ITMO University and Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University. They noticed my project at ITMO and I was invited to be admitted, which settled my choice.<h2 dir="ltr">What was the suit like back then and what’s it like now?</h2>The second version had two key disadvantages: it was heavy and not too movable in the hip area. So I started to design a new version and learned how to make 3D models.The next prototype was more flexible for people of different sizes and supplemented by additional axes in the back area, hips, and shoulders. The exoskeleton didn’t paralyze its users that much but it still was heavy because of its steel frame.The third version weighed about 100 kilograms. The one I’m working on right now will weigh about 40-50 kilos thanks to another material, smaller size and the usage of composites.<div class="fr-img-space-wrap"><img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1632996711434-1213705.jpg" style="width: 766px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">Alexey Ledyukov in the exoskeleton. Credit: Dmitry Grigoryev, ITMO.NEWS&nbsp;</div><h2 dir="ltr" id="isPasted">What is it made of?</h2>The carcass is made out of carbon plastic, pneumatic air cylinders – out of steel and aluminum, and bearing pieces – out of hardened steel. Handles and closing elements are made of latten, ABS plastic, and fiberglass.<h2 dir="ltr">What are your further plans?</h2>The new version will be more ergonomic and technological. I used to 3D print all pieces and then manually wrap them with carbon plastic and process with a drilling machine. The new model will be molded: we’ll create a silicone form and then fill it with a two-component plastic reinforced with carbon fiber.<h2 dir="ltr">How does the exoskeleton work?</h2>When a person lifts their arm or leg, resistive pressure sensors placed in specific places are activated. That’s how the speed and direction of movement are determined. The skeleton doesn’t resist your movements – it moves its drive units in the direction specified by the sensor signals. The signal is processed and thanks to it, the valves connected to the skeleton’s drives get opened and closed. Then, when the user lifts some weight, the direction of their movement changes. The suit understands it and attempts to compensate for the effort: the user will feel the weight but won’t strain their muscles.<img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1632996803942-1213703.jpg" style="width: 766px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"><div class="fr-img-space-wrap"><img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1632996819688-1213702.jpg" style="width: 766px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">Fragments of the exoskeleton. Credit: Dmitry Grigoryev. ITMO.NEWS</div><h2 dir="ltr" id="isPasted">Who can wear it?</h2>The new model will suit people with a height of 170-190 centimeters.<h2 dir="ltr">Where can it be applied except for the industry and the army?</h2>Another field where it can be applied is rescue services. This suit is quite movable, which isn’t necessary for the industry, where it’s enough to lift weight and be quite mobile.For the rescue services, however, the suit is of great help – heavy machinery can’t reach a destroyed building until the debris is cleared up. Plus, the suit will protect the workers from falling fragments of a building or high temperatures, if it’s made fireproof.The Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Russian Federation is aware of our project and they suggested we test the exoskeleton at a training ground.<div class="fr-img-space-wrap"><img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1632996852692-1213704.jpg" style="width: 766px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">Alexey Ledyukov in the exoskeleton. Credit: Dmitry Grigoryev, ITMO.NEWS&nbsp;</div><h2 dir="ltr" id="isPasted">How many people are there on your team?</h2>Our team consists of six people and each has their own role. There are developers, people who come up with new ideas, and those who express and publish them.We plan to take part in the Tekhnosreda exhibition in late September. Then we’ll apply for several grants. We would also like to join the ITMO Accelerator and start small-scale production of passive exoskeletons by summer. Plus, we received an order from a client to design an airsoft suit.<h2 dir="ltr">How can it be applied in airsoft?</h2>I was surprised too when airsoft equipment companies started to contact us. The suit can be something like a tank that’s not afraid to be shot at. It’s like an imitation of a perimeter breach. Using an exoskeleton will basically make it possible to change the concept of the game that is typically about making one shot on the target.<h2 dir="ltr">Have you considered creating an exoskeleton for disabled people?</h2>I don’t have such plans. Modern medical suits are quite good but also pricey. So the developers should simply work on a way to make them more affordable.<hr>Translated by <a href="https://news.itmo.ru/en/profile/54/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Kseniia Tereshchenko</a> and originally published by <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://news.itmo.ru/en/&source=gmail&ust=1633083287275000&usg=AFQjCNF_YGepF3pQv3rt8_5mPEOs9N8HdQ" href="https://news.itmo.ru/en/" target="_blank">ITMO.NEWS</a>

Alexey Ledyukov in the exoskeleton. Credit: Dmitry Grigoryev, ITMO.NEWS

Alexey Ledyukov, a student at ITMO’s Faculty of Control Systems and Robotics, has designed an exoskeleton that will be able to help lift up to 80 kilograms easily. At the same time, the suit itself doesn’t weigh much: you can move and even run in it freely.

Student Designs an Active Exoskeleton to Lift Weight

Spine deformities, such as idiopathic scoliosis and kyphosis (also known as &ldquo;hunchback&rdquo;), are characterized by an abnormal curvature in the spine. The children with these spinal deformities are typically advised to wear a brace that fits around the torso and hips to correct the abnormal curve. Bracing has been shown to prevent progression of the abnormal curve and avoid surgery. The underlying technology for bracing has not fundamentally changed in the last 50 years.&nbsp;<img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1577273781287-joon_brace_v.4_2_web-sq.jpg">Robotic Spine Exoskeleton consists of two six-degrees-of-freedom parallel-actuated modules connected in series, each with six actuated limbs. Each module controls the translations/rotations or forces/moments of one ring in three dimensions with respect to the adjacent ring. <style type="text/css"></style><style type="text/css"></style>Video &amp; Images: Sunil Agrawal/Columbia Engineering&nbsp;While bracing can retard the progression of abnormal spine curves in adolescents, current braces impose a number of limitations due to their rigid, static, and sensor-less designs. In addition, users find them uncomfortable to wear and can suffer from skin breakdown caused by prolonged, excessive force. Moreover, the inability to control the correction provided by the brace makes it difficult for users to adapt to changes in the torso over the course of treatment, resulting in diminished effectiveness.To address these deficiencies, <a href="http://engineering.columbia.edu/" target="_blank">Columbia Engineering</a> researchers have invented a new Robotic Spine Exoskeleton (RoSE) that may solve most of these limitations and lead to new treatments for spine deformities. The RoSE is a dynamic spine brace that enabled the team to conduct the first study that looks at in vivo measurements of torso stiffness and characterizes the three-dimensional stiffness of the human torso. The <a href="http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/8328860/" target="_blank">study</a> was published online March 30 in <a href="http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/xpl/RecentIssue.jsp?punumber=7333" target="_blank">IEEE Transactions of Neural Systems and Rehabilitation Engineering</a>.&ldquo;To our knowledge, there are no other studies on dynamic braces like ours. Earlier studies used cadavers, which by definition don&rsquo;t provide a dynamic picture,&quot; says the study&rsquo;s principal investigator <a href="https://engineering.columbia.edu/faculty/sunil-agrawal" target="_blank">Sunil Agrawal</a>, professor of mechanical engineering at Columbia Engineering and professor of rehabilitation and regenerative medicine at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons. &ldquo;The RoSE is the first device to measure and modulate the position or forces in all six degrees-of-freedom in specific regions of the torso. This study is foundational and we believe will lead to exciting advances both in characterizing and treating spine deformities.&rdquo;Developed in Agrawal&rsquo;s <a href="https://roar.me.columbia.edu/" target="_blank">Robotics and Rehabilitation (ROAR) Laboratory</a>, the RoSE consists of three rings placed on the pelvis, mid-thoracic, and upper-thoracic regions of the spine. The motion of two adjacent rings is controlled by a six-degrees-of-freedom parallel-actuated robot. Overall, the system has 12 degrees-of-freedom controlled by 12 motors. The RoSE can control the motion of the upper rings with respect to the pelvis ring or apply controlled forces on these rings during the motion. The system can also apply corrective forces in specific directions while still allowing free motion in other directions.<iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/B1xL1OBUcl8?&wmode=opaque" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable" style="width: 1114px; height: 841px;"></iframe>Video&mdash;part of supplementary material that will be published with the paper&mdash;describes the design and fabrication process used in developing the Robotic Spine Exoskeleton.&nbsp;<style type="text/css"></style><style type="text/css"></style>Video &amp; Images: Sunil Agrawal/Columbia Engineering&nbsp;Eight healthy male subjects and two male subjects with spine deformities participated in the pilot study, which was designed to characterize the three-dimensional stiffness of their torsos. The researchers used the RoSE, to control the position/orientation of specific cross sections of the subjects&rsquo; torsos while simultaneously measuring the exerted forces/moments.The results showed that the three-dimensional stiffness of the human torso can be characterized using the RoSE and that the spine deformities induce torso stiffness characteristics significantly different from the healthy subjects. Spinal abnormal curves are three-dimensional; hence the stiffness characteristics are curve-specific and depend on the locations of the curve apex on the human torso.&ldquo;Our results open up the possibility for designing spine braces that incorporate patient-specific torso stiffness characteristics,&rdquo; says the study&rsquo;s co-principal investigator <a href="http://vesta.cumc.columbia.edu/ortho/facdb/profile/profile.php?id=ortho738" target="_blank">David P. Roye</a>, a spine surgeon and a professor of pediatric orthopedics at the <a href="http://www.cumc.columbia.edu/" target="_blank">Columbia University Irving Medical Center</a>. &ldquo;Our findings could also lead to new interventions using dynamic modulation of three-dimensional forces for spine deformity treatment.&rdquo;&ldquo;We built upon the principles used in conventional spine braces, i.e., to provide three-point loading at the curve apex using the three rings to snugly fit on the human torso,&rdquo; says the lead author Joon-Hyuk Park, who worked on this research as a PhD student and a team member at Agrawal&rsquo;s ROAR laboratory. &ldquo;In order to characterize the three-dimensional stiffness of the human torso, the RoSE applies six unidirectional displacements in each DOF of the human torso, at two different levels, while simultaneously measuring the forces and moments.&rdquo;While this first study used a male brace designed for adults, Agrawal and his team have already designed a brace for girls as idiopathic scoliosis is 10 times more common in teenage girls than boys. The team is actively recruiting girls with scoliosis in order to characterize how torso stiffness varies due to such a medical condition.&ldquo;Directional difference in the stiffness of the spine may help predict which children can potentially benefit from bracing and avoid surgery,&rdquo; says Agrawal.

Robotic Spine Exoskeleton consists of two six-degrees-of-freedom parallel-actuated modules connected in series, each with six actuated limbs. Each module controls the translations/rotations or forces/moments of one ring in three dimensions with respect to the adjacent ring. Video & Images: Sunil Agrawal/Columbia Engineering

Designed by Columbia Engineers, RoSE is first device to measure 3D stiffness of human torso, could lead to new treatments for children with spine deformities such as idiopathic scoliosis and kyphosis

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