Development of a portable powered assistance device and service to provide assistive force to a passive leg support, enhancing mobility.
Goal of This Project
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Design a lightweight, tendon-driven system attachable to existing passive orthoses.
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Provide assistive torque at key gait phases to restore natural walking patterns.
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Reduce fall risk and improve user confidence in real-world walking environments.
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Validate the device with target users and establish commercialization pathways.
Importance of the Research
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Restrict mobility and fail to meet the needs of users seeking active daily ambulation.
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High cost, heavy structure, and limited applicability in daily life.
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Increase in aging and single-person disabled households necessitates practical assistive solutions.
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Reduce complications such as joint contractures, muscle atrophy, and depression.
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Expand user choices, lower public healthcare burdens, and revitalize the domestic assistive device industry.
Research Content and Scope
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Utilize 3D motion capture to analyze gait phases and define assistive control requirements.
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Design sensor-based algorithms for accurate phase recognition (stance/swing) in real-time.
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Implement multiple control modes (ASSIST, SLACK, BRACE) and emergency response strategies.
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Create adaptive algorithms to optimize control parameters based on individual gait patterns.
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Ensure compatibility with AFO, KAFO, and HKAFO and adapt control algorithms accordingly.
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Define risk scenarios and appropriate mitigation strategies for real-world usage.
Participating Researchers
Funding
