Powered Exoskeletons An Emergent Technology A presentation by

Powered Exoskeletons: An Emergent Technology A presentation by

Exoskeleton- What and Why? Exoskeletons are robotic, mechanical frames designed to be worn by a human being. The exoskeleton moves with the wearer, adding its strength and durability to theirs. Additional strength, protection, support, benefits people with dangerous/tiring jobs or mobility issues

History First exoskeletons designed in 1960's (GE's ”Hardiman”) – 2004 - Berkley “Bleex” – Enormously heavy, impractical 4 mph max speed Sarcos XOS suit- 25 x strength amplification, but still tethered Current generation built primarily for lightness, mobility

Current Capabilities & Uses Minaturization of electronics, motion sensors/EEGs allow synchronous movement Force multiplier: Feel anywhere from 70 to hundreds of pounds as much less, depending on model Distributes own & load weight to reduce user strain Not just military applications! Used as assistive devices in physical therapy Used to ease physical exertion in industry and medicine Used to restore locomotion to the paralyzed

Specific Models and Applications HAL - “Hybrid Assistive Limb” – – – HULC - ”Human Universal Load Carrier” – – – Made by Japanese company Cyberdyne Myoelectric control, 5 -10 x lift/load capacity Designed to help nurses, disabled, elderly Commercially available ($4200, $1000 rental) Disaster relief/ Fukishima worker ”radiation armor” variants Lockheed-Martin and Berklely University Compact, customizable/adjustable modular design 53 lbs (less than half of Hardiman's battery) Used as load-lifter by army, naval drydock workers 7 to 10 mph max speed, 200 lb capacity, 20 km range claims of ”long range 72 -hour mission model” Re. Walk - – Designed by Israeli company Arco Medical Technologies First commercially viable upright walking assist – device – Stand, walk, sit, climb stairs – Currently towards the end of clinical testing – Physical therapy and personal use variants

Current Limitations Tradeoff: Performance vs. Operation Time – Energy density of power sources – High/constant energy demands Expense – HULC projected to cost $25 k/suit – Advanced materials – Little standardization Need for powerful but lightweight design Marketed, but still not widely used -”Deployment of exoskeletons in commercial sectors will probably remain quite limited for another decade or so” Ethical concerns- – Ensuring user safety – How much is too much?

The Future of Exoskeletons Stable, energy-dense power sources allow sustained operation Improved efficiency and power-to-weight ratio -Myomer Fibers- Artificial Muscles? Exoskeletons become more widely used & available – Less expensive Replaces wheelchairs, grants mobility to the elderly Standard use in heavy labor/industry, advanced body armors

“We anticipate that completion of the Army’s field tests and trials, probably in 2014 or 2015, will be followed by widespread commercial production of powered exoskeletons. We project the overall market for exoskeletons. . . will make up roughly a third of the market by 2020 on a revenue basis, accounting for sales of $292 million. ” -Larry Fisher, research director of ABI Research Questions?

Cited Sources Tsagarakis NG, Caldwell DG. Development and Control of a ‘Soft-Actuated’ Exoskeleton for Use in Physiotherapy and Training. Autonomous Robots. 2003; 15: 21 -33. “Powered Exoskeletons. ” http: //en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Powered_exoskeleton “Exoskeleton allows paralyzed architect Robert Woo to walk again. ” http: //www. huffingtonpost. com/2011/11/11/technology-paralyzed-walk-robert-woo_n_1077094. html “Paralyzed student uses exoskeleton to walk at graduation. ” http: //www. huffingtonpost. com/2011/05/16/austin-whitney-paralyzed-_n_862563. html “Robotic exoskeleton aids paraplegics” http: //www. omaha. com/article/20111102/LIVEWELL 01/711029922 “Turbo-powered Physical Therapy. ” http: //www. popsci. com/scitech/article/2009 -06/turbo-powered-physicaltherapy “Exoskeleton supports US shipyard work”http: //www. defpro. com/news/details/29538/? SID=4 a 081 f 8 c 7055 c 89 a 7 dc 2 d 0 d 6 c 8 d 0 d 998 “Exoskeletons will be the eyeglasses of the 21 st century” http: //www. lockheedmartin. com/products/hulc/ http: //www. itnewsafrica. com/2010/07/military-exoskeleton-ready-for-human-trials/ http: //www. theregister. co. uk/2011/11/07/hal_suit_nuclear_armour/ http: //www. weirdasianews. com/2011/11/16/japan-develops-hal-robot-suit-nuclear-plant-workers/