Motion Capture and MultiBody Simulations to Determine Actuation Requirements for an Assistive Exoskeleton

• Type: Article in International Conference Proceedings Book
• Date: 2019

Authors

Pina, DS (Author) Other; Joaquim Mendes (Author) FEUP; Renato Natal Jorge (Author) FEUP

Conference proceedings International

Title: Proceedings of the 12th International Joint Conference on Biomedical Engineering Systems and Technologies (BIOSTEC 2019) - Volume 5: HEALTHINF, Prague, Czech Republic, February 22-24, 2019.

Pages: 183-191

12th International Conference on Health Informatics, HEALTHINF 2019 - Part of 12th International Joint Conference on Biomedical Engineering Systems and Technologies, BIOSTEC 2019

22 February 2019 through 24 February 2019

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 1 Citation

Scopus - 0 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00Q-GX0

DOI: 10.5220/0007403601830191

Abstract (EN): EUROSTAT's projections show that, by 2040, the people aged 65 or more will account to almost one fourth of the population. These statistics raise concerns over the sustainability of the society, so technological solutions have been emerging to prolong the active age of European citizens. One of the main impairments for elders is an increasing difficulty in performing daily lower-limb activities (i.e. walking, climbing stairs) due to Sarcopenia, among other issues. Therefore, the authors are developing an active exoskeleton whose sole purpose is to assist the gait of an elderly person. The proposed system is based on a low-profile design, allowing a smaller frame that allows the device to be worn beneath loose clothing, making it more desirable to wear in public by reducing social awkwardness. This article shows the methodology used to determine the actuation requirements for the exoskeleton. Two subjects performed a number of trials depicting daily life activities in a biomechanics laboratory that acquires motion sensor and force-plate data. Each activity was performed with additional weights to emulate the presence of an exoskeleton. The data was used in a multibody simulation program (OpenSim) to determine the requirements (angular speed, torque) for the actuation system in the exoskeleton. © 2019 by SCITEPRESS - Science and Technology Publications, Lda.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 9