A wearable textile-based pneumatic energy harvesting system for assistive robotics.

Area of Science:

• Engineering
• Biomedical Engineering
• Materials Science

Background:

• Wearable assistive devices often rely on bulky power supplies, limiting their practicality.
• Existing power sources can be heavy and uncomfortable for users, hindering adoption.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a soft, low-profile, textile-based pneumatic energy harvesting system.
• To power wearable assistive devices using energy generated from walking.
• To optimize system performance using a mechano-fluidic model.

Main Methods:

• Integrated a textile pump into a shoe insole for energy harvesting during foot strikes.
• Stored harvested energy in a wearable textile bladder for on-demand pneumatic actuation.
• Utilized a mechano-fluidic model for system performance optimization.

Main Results:

• Achieved a maximum average power of nearly 3 W with over 20% conversion efficiency.
• Demonstrated superior performance compared to electromagnetic, piezoelectric, and triboelectric alternatives.
• Successfully powered a wearable arm-lift device and a supernumerary robotic arm.

Conclusions:

• The developed system offers a lightweight, low-cost, and comfortable solution for powering wearable assistive devices.
• This technology can support individuals with upper body functional limitations in daily activities.
• Pneumatic energy harvesting from walking presents a viable alternative to conventional power sources for assistive technologies.