Biomechanical evaluation of a new passive back support exoskeleton.

The number one cause of disability in the world is low-back pain, with mechanical loading as one of the major risk factors. To reduce mechanical loading, exoskeletons have been introduced in the workplace. Substantial reductions in back muscle activity were found when using the exoskeleton during static bending and manual materials handling.

A Variable Stiffness Actuator Module With Favorable Mass Distribution for a Bio-inspired Biped Robot.

Achieving human-like locomotion with humanoid platforms often requires the use of variable stiffness actuators (VSAs) in multi-degree-of-freedom robotic joints. VSAs possess 2 motors for the control of both stiffness and equilibrium position. Hence, they add mass and mechanical complexity to the design of humanoids.

Evaluation and Analysis of Push-Pull Cable Actuation System Used for Powered Orthoses.

Cable-based actuation systems are preferred in rehabilitation robotics due to their adequate force transmission and the possibility of safely locating the motors away from the patient. In such applications, the cable dynamics represents the prescribing component for the system operating loads and control. A good understanding of the actuation, based on cable-conduit transmission, is therefore becoming mandatory.