Harvard researchers have developed a smartphone-assisted ankle exosuit that is designed for use in community settings and could help stroke survivors. This assistive robotic device can help improve their walking speed, distance, propulsion, and gait symmetry. Unlike similar offerings, this one utilizes an active dorsiflexion actuator and has a passive material that flexes like a spring, helping the toes stay up during the foot’s swing phase to prevent the wearer from catching their toes on the ground.
This acuator is important because it boasts a passive actuator, thus making the exosuit inherently safer, as in the case of an unexpected power loss or controller failure, the default state will keep the users toes up and reduce risk of a trip or fall. Built-in sensors located on the foot, shank, and pelvis, collect data that is then converted using a machine-learning algorithm into estimates of propulsion.
- Multiple Functions: Each of the six legs has three motors, the rotatable head has a camera and an ultrasonic distance sensor (Assembly required)...
- Detailed Tutorial: Provides step-by-step assembly guide and complete Python code (The download link can be found on the product box) (No paper...
- Compatible Models: Raspberry Pi 5 / 4B / 3B+ / 3B / 3A+ (2B / 1B+ / 1A+ / Zero 2 W / Zero W / Zero 1.3 is also compatible but needs extra parts) (NOT...
We also developed a mobile app to enable wearers to easily interact with the device and remotely check in with our team. The app allows wearers to turn the device on themselves and tell the exosuit when they want to start walking,” said Chih-Kang Chang, a Ph.D. candidate in Walsh’s lab and a co-first author on the paper.
