A PHYSIOLOGIST'S PERSPECTIVE ON ROBOTIC EXOSKELETONS FOR HUMAN LOCOMOTION

Area of Science:

• Robotics and Biomechanics
• Human Locomotor Physiology

Background:

• Powered exoskeletons have advanced from concept to reality due to technological progress.
• Understanding human locomotion is crucial for developing effective exoskeleton technology.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight key areas for future research in powered exoskeleton design and human locomotion.
• To emphasize the synergistic relationship between exoskeleton development and physiological research.

Main Methods:

• Exploiting biomechanical principles from animal locomotion for exoskeleton design.
• Integrating physiological perspectives to reduce user metabolic energy expenditure and actuator power demands.
• Collecting experimental data from human locomotion with exoskeletons.

Main Results:

• Future exoskeleton designs can be optimized by applying principles of animal locomotion.
• Physiological insights can reduce the metabolic cost for users and the power needed for exoskeletons.
• Exoskeleton-assisted locomotion provides unique data for studying human metabolic cost.

Conclusions:

• Collaboration between engineers and physiologists is essential for advancing exoskeleton technology and human locomotion research.
• Biomechanical and physiological approaches are critical for improving exoskeleton efficiency and user experience.
• Robotic exoskeletons offer a novel platform for investigating human locomotor physiology.