Soft exoskeleton
Soft exoskeletons are designed to assist individuals with mobility impairments, aid in rehabilitation, augment human performance, and improve overall quality of life.
[4] In the twilight of the 19th century, a Russian engineer named Nicholas Yagin embarked on a groundbreaking journey that would lay the foundation for a revolutionary technological leap – the creation of the world's first exoskeleton-like device.
The BLEEX project, initiated by the Robotics and Human Engineering Laboratory at the University of California, Berkeley, sought to address the challenges associated with walking and carrying heavy loads.
The primary goal was to develop a soft exoskeleton capable of reducing the metabolic cost of these activities, thereby providing a breakthrough in human augmentation technology.
Rigid exoskeletons emerged as a promising solution, aiming to alleviate the physical strain encountered by workers engaged in tasks demanding heavy lifting and repetitive motions.
The exoskeleton, equipped with state-of-the-art intelligent actuators and motion sensors, was meticulously crafted to augment human strength and endurance, thereby alleviating the burdens associated with manual labor in the construction industry.
[18][19] The impetus behind this development stemmed from a pressing need to address the high incidence of musculoskeletal injuries among construction workers, especially those involved in tasks requiring the lifting and transportation of heavy building materials.
By integrating cutting-edge technology into the exoskeleton design, the engineering team sought to create a symbiotic relationship between man and machine, enhancing both productivity and occupational safety.
In military contexts, exoskeleton research aimed to create powered exosuits that could amplify soldiers' strength, allowing them to carry heavier loads over long distances, navigate challenging terrains, and perform tasks that would be otherwise strenuous or dangerous.
In the industrial sector, the focus was on developing exoskeletons to assist workers in tasks involving heavy lifting, repetitive motions, and prolonged periods of standing, thereby reducing the risk of work-related injuries and increasing productivity.
[21] Walsh's team at the Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering created a lightweight and flexible exoskeleton that used textile-based actuators to assist specific muscle groups.
Researchers at the institute focused on refining soft exosuit designs, integrating advanced sensors and control systems, and exploring diverse applications, including medical rehabilitation and enhancing human performance in various tasks.
Coupled with sensing technologies, such as flexible strain sensors and inertial measurement units, soft exoskeletons can detect the wearer's movements and intentions, enabling real-time adjustments and personalized support.
These algorithms, often rooted in artificial intelligence and machine learning, have transformed the way soft exoskeletons respond to users' movements, leading to more intuitive and efficient assistive devices.
A research paper published in 2020 8th IEEE RAS/EMBS International Conference for Biomedical Robotics and Biomechatronics (BioRob)[44][full citation needed] outlined the integration of convolutional neural networks (CNNs) to analyze sensor data from wearable exoskeletons.
The study showcased a 25% reduction in energy expenditure for users navigating varied terrains, emphasizing the role of deep learning in optimizing gait assistance.
[46] Soft exoskeletons, with their advanced technology and innovative designs, have found widespread applications across various industries, transforming the way people work, move, and live.
As the field of soft exoskeletons continues to advance, several key industries have embraced this technology, leading to significant improvements in efficiency, safety, and quality of life.
Soft exoskeletons have revolutionized the field of healthcare and rehabilitation, offering hope and mobility to individuals with spinal cord injuries, stroke survivors, and neurological disorders.
Soft exoskeletons have found a home in manufacturing and industrial settings, where they assist workers in lifting heavy loads and reduce the risk of musculoskeletal injuries.
While still in the research and development phase, TALOS represents a pioneering effort in integrating soft exoskeletons into military operations, aiming to enhance soldiers' capabilities on the battlefield.
Hunic,[63] a notable player in the field (IFOY award winner),[64] has developed a patent-pending soft exoskeleton named SoftExo, known for its lightweight wearability, high performance, and ergonomic design.
This technology has been deployed in various disaster-stricken areas, enhancing the effectiveness of search and rescue operations[66][67][68] Soft exoskeletons, like the MyoSuit[69] developed by MyoSwiss AG, have been employed in educational institutions and research laboratories since 2019.
