Design and testing of fabric-based portable soft exoskeleton glove for hand grasping assistance in daily activity.

Hand exoskeleton robots have been developed as rehabilitation robots and assistive devices. Based on the material used, they can be soft or hard exoskeletons. Soft materials such as fabric can be used as a component of the wearable robot to increase comfortability.

Feedback control of automatic navigation for cyborg cockroach without external motion capture system.

Due to their size and locomotion ability, cockroaches are favorable as hybrid robot platforms in search and rescue (SAR) missions. However, cockroaches most likely approach the corner area and stay for an uncertain time. This natural behavior will hinder the utilization of cyborg cockroaches in SAR missions under rubble, unstructured, and unknown areas.

Movement Optimization for a Cyborg Cockroach in a Bounded Space Incorporating Machine Learning.

Cockroaches can traverse unknown obstacle-terrain, self-right on the ground and climb above the obstacle. However, they have limited motion, such as less activity in light/bright areas and lower temperatures. Therefore, the movement of the cyborg cockroaches needs to be optimized for the utilization of the cockroach as a cyborg insect.

The effectiveness of raising the heel height of shoes to reduce heel pain in patients with calcaneal spurs.

[Purpose] To investigate the effect of heel height on the distribution of plantar foot force and heel pain in patients with a heel spur. [Subjects and Methods] Plantar force was measured using 8 force sensors in 16 patients (3 men, 13 women), with symptomatic heel spur for 4 heel heights (0-4 cm). Sensors were located at the hallux (T1); medial to lateral metatarsals (M1 through M3), mid-foot (MF); and at the central, lateral, and medial heel (CH, LH, and MH).