Soft back exosuit controlled by neuro-mechanical modeling provides adaptive assistance while lifting unknown loads and reduces lumbosacral compression forces

Wearable Technologies, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 6

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

State-of-the-art controllers for active back exosuits rely on body kinematics and state machines. These do not continuously target the lumbosacral compression forces or adapt to unknown external loads. The use of additional contact load detection could make such more adaptive; however, it can be impractical daily use. Here, we developed a novel neuro-mechanical model-based controller (NMBC) that uses personalized electromyography (EMG)-driven musculoskeletal (MSK) model estimate joint loading. NMBC provided adaptive, subject- load-specific assistive proportional estimates part biological moments through soft support exosuit. Without priori information, maximum cable were modulated across weights. Simultaneously, applied non-adaptive, kinematic-dependent, trunk inclination-based (TIBC). Both TIBC reduced mean peak biomechanical metrics, although all reductions significant. did modulate assistance showed larger than values, significant during erect stance cumulative compressive loads by 21% over multiple cycles in cohort 10 participants. Overall, targeted lifting without information being carried. This may facilitate adoption non-hindering wearable robotics real-life scenarios. As is informed an EMG-driven MSK model, possible tune timing NMBC-generated torque commands exosuit (delaying anticipating with respect torques) further reduction muscle fatigue.

Language: Английский

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Benchmarking commercially available soft and rigid passive back exoskeletons for an industrial workplace

Wearable Technologies, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 5

Published: Jan. 1, 2024

Abstract Low-back pain is a common occupational hazard for industrial workers. Several studies show the advantages of using rigid and soft back-support passive exoskeletons exosuits (exos) to reduce low-back loading risk injury. However, benefits these exos have been shown be task-specific. Therefore, in this study, we developed benchmarking approach assess an workplace at Hankamp Gears B.V. We assessed two (Laevo Flex, Paexo back) (Auxivo Liftsuit 1.0, Darwing Hakobelude) tasks resembling workplace. measured assistive moment provided by each exo their respective influence on muscle activity as well user’s perception comfort exertion. Ten participants performed four lifting ( Static hold, Asymmetric , Squat Stoop ), while electromyography subjective measures were collected. The largest assistance during Dynamic tasks. Reductions erector spinae seen task-specific, with larger reductions exos. Overall, Laevo Flex offered good balance between moments, activity, user perceived Thus, recommend intended use This will hopefully result better adoption help pain.

Language: Английский

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Integrating exosuit capabilities into clothing to make back relief accessible to workers unserved by existing exoskeletons: design and preliminary evaluation

Published: Sept. 11, 2023

<p>Background: Occupational exos (rigid exoskeletons and soft exosuits) are emerging technologies designed to reduce the risk of work-related musculoskeletal disorders. Existing occupational standalone accessories worn on top a user’s clothing. </p> <p>Purpose: Our objective was test verify that back-assist exosuit capabilities could be integrated into regular clothing in an effective usable manner, which make relief accessible more workers.</p> <p>Methods: We redesigned previously validated accessory so it integrate standard-issue U.S. Army uniform. The uniform-integrated prototype low-profile (protruding <30 mm from body), lightweight (adding 800 grams uniform), donned/doffed like normal verified effectiveness usability lab testing (<em>N</em>=5) case study (<em>N=</em>1) with Soldier.</p> <p>Results: In (<em>N</em>=5), this provided 18-27 Nm torque about low back during lifting. Assistance engaged or disengaged one-handed half second, did not restrict natural range motion cause discomfort. A (<em>N</em>=1) Soldier performing operationally relevant tasks demonstrated type may well-suited for workers duties involve driving vehicles intermittent <p>Conclusions: This work integrating standard workwear can usable. integration resulted little change form factor, weight, motion, comfort daily uniform while adding lifting assistance. new sub-class beneficial who alternate between bending, lifting, sitting tasks, those customer- patient-facing jobs where is important wearable technology discreet.</p>

Language: Английский

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Integrating exosuit capabilities into clothing to make back relief accessible to workers unserved by existing exoskeletons: design and preliminary evaluation

Published: Nov. 22, 2023

<p>Background: Occupational exos (rigid exoskeletons and soft exosuits) are emerging technologies designed to reduce the risk of work-related musculoskeletal disorders. Existing occupational standalone accessories worn on top a user’s clothing. </p> <p>Purpose: Our objective was test verify that back-assist exosuit capabilities could be integrated into regular clothing in an effective usable manner, which make relief accessible more workers.</p> <p>Methods: We redesigned previously validated accessory so it integrate standard-issue U.S. Army uniform. The uniform-integrated prototype low-profile (protruding <30 mm from body), lightweight (adding 800 grams uniform), donned/doffed like normal verified effectiveness usability lab testing (<em>N</em>=5) case study (<em>N=</em>1) with Soldier.</p> <p>Results: In (<em>N</em>=5), this provided 18-27 Nm torque about low back during lifting. Assistance engaged or disengaged one-handed half second, did not restrict natural range motion cause discomfort. A (<em>N</em>=1) Soldier performing operationally relevant tasks demonstrated type may well-suited for workers duties involve driving vehicles intermittent <p>Conclusions: This work integrating standard workwear can usable. integration resulted little change form factor, weight, motion, comfort daily uniform while adding lifting assistance. new sub-class beneficial who alternate between bending, lifting, sitting tasks, those customer- patient-facing jobs where is important wearable technology discreet.</p>

Language: Английский

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Integrating exosuit capabilities into clothing to make back relief accessible to workers unserved by existing exoskeletons: design and preliminary evaluation

Published: Dec. 22, 2023

Background: Occupational exos (comprising both rigid exoskeletons and soft exosuits) are emerging technologies designed to reduce the risk of work-related musculoskeletal disorders. Existing occupational standalone accessories worn on top a user’s clothing. Purpose: Our objective was determine whether back-assist exosuit capabilities could be integrated into regular clothing in an effective usable manner, which make relief accessible more workers. Methods: We redesigned accessory so it integrate standard-issue U.S. Army uniform. The uniform-integrated prototype low-profile (protruding <30 mm from body), lightweight (adding 800 grams uniform), donned/doffed like normal demonstrated effectiveness usability lab testing ( N =5) case study N= 1) with Soldier. Results: In testing, provided 18-27 Nm torque about low back during lifting. Assistance engaged or disengaged one-handed half second, did not restrict natural range motion cause discomfort. Soldier who performed operationally relevant tasks reported that he satisfied weight, comfort, motion, lifting assistance prototype. Conclusions: This work proof-of-concept integrating standard workwear can usable. added little change form factor, comfort new sub-class beneficial workers alternate between bending, lifting, sitting (e.g., driving) tasks, those customer- patient-facing jobs where is important for wearable technology discreet.

Language: Английский

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Integrating Exosuit Capabilities into Clothing to Make Back Relief Accessible to Workers Unserved by Existing Exoskeletons: Design and Preliminary Evaluation

IISE Transactions on Occupational Ergonomics and Human Factors, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 11(3-4), P. 94 - 107

Published: Oct. 2, 2023

We developed a method for integrating back-assist exosuit capabilities into regular clothing to make musculoskeletal relief accessible more workers. demonstrated proof-of-concept that this uniform-integrated can be effective and usable. Existing occupational exosuits are standalone accessories worn on top of user's not suitable all Our newly sub-class could beneficial workers who alternate between bending, lifting, sitting tasks, or those in customer- patient-facing jobs where it is important wearable technology discreet.

Language: Английский

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