Wearable robots can potentially offer their users enhanced stability and strength. These augmentations are ideally designed to actuate harmoniously with the user's movements and provide extra force as needed. The creation of such robots, however, is particularly challenging due to the underlying complexity of the human body. In this paper, we present a compliant, robotic exosuit for upper extremities called CRUX. This exosuit, inspired by tensegrity models of the human arm, features a lightweight (1.3 kg), flexible multi-joint design for portable augmentation. We also illustrate how CRUX maintains the full range of motion of the upper-extremities for its users while providing multi-DoF strength amplification to the major muscles of the arm, as evident by tracking the heart rate of an individual exercising said arm. Exosuits such as CRUX may be useful in physical therapy and in extreme environments where users are expected to exert their bodies to the fullest extent.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1109/ICORR.2017.8009482 | DOI Listing |
Biomimetics (Basel)
January 2025
School of Engineering, University of Kent, Canterbury CT2 7NZ, UK.
Pneumatic artificial muscles (PAMs) are flexible actuators that can be contracted or expanded by applying air pressure. They are used in robotics, prosthetics, and other applications requiring flexible and compliant actuation. PAMs are basically designed to mimic the function of biological muscles, providing a high force-to-weight ratio and smooth, lifelike movement.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAdv Sci (Weinh)
January 2025
Department of Materials Engineering, KU Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 44, Leuven, 3001, Belgium.
The next generation of soft electronics will expand to the third dimension. This will require the integration of mechanically compliant 3D functional structures with stretchable materials. Here, omnidirectional direct ink writing (DIW) of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene): polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) aerogels with tunable electrical and mechanical performance is demonstrated, which can be integrated with soft substrates.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCureus
December 2024
Obstetrics and Gynecology, Vassar Brothers Medical Center, Poughkeepsie, USA.
This case reports a 44-year-old female who presented to the gynecologic oncology clinic status post robotic-assisted laparoscopic myomectomy with intraperitoneal unprotected power morcellation in 2012, with an incidental finding of three conglomerate solid masses in the abdomen above the uterus, with each mass measuring approximately 15.5 cm. The patient underwent an exploratory laparotomy where multiple masses greater than 10 cm were found scattered throughout the abdominal cavity.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFNat Commun
January 2025
Morphing Matter Lab, Human-Computer Interaction Institute, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
Compliant mechanisms with reconfigurable degrees of freedom are gaining attention in the development of kinesthetic haptic devices, robotic systems, and mechanical metamaterials. However, available devices exhibit limited programmability and form-customizability, restricting their versatility. To address this gap, we propose a metastructure concept featuring reconfigurable motional freedom and tunable stiffness, adaptable to various form factors and applications.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSci Data
January 2025
University of Delaware, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Newark, DE, 19716, USA.
Walking on compliant terrains, like carpets, grass, and soil, presents a unique challenge, especially for individuals with mobility impairments. In contrast to rigid-ground walking, compliant surfaces alter movement dynamics and increase the risk of falls. Understanding and modeling gait control across such soft and deformable surfaces is thus crucial for maintaining daily mobility.
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