This paper investigates the trajectory following problem of exoskeleton robots with numerous constraints. However, as a typical nonlinear system with variability and parameter uncertainty, it is difficult to accuratel...This paper investigates the trajectory following problem of exoskeleton robots with numerous constraints. However, as a typical nonlinear system with variability and parameter uncertainty, it is difficult to accurately achieve the trajectory tracking control for exoskeletons. In this paper, we present a robust control of trajectory tracking control based on servo constraints. Firstly, we consider the uncertainties (e.g., modelling errors, initial condition deviations, structural vibrations, and other unknown external disturbances) in the exoskeleton system, which are time-varying and bounded. Secondly, we establish the dynamic model and formulate a close-loop connection between the dynamic model and the real world. Then, the trajectory tracking issue is regarded as a servo constraint problem, and an adaptive robust control with leakage-type adaptive law is proposed with the guaranteed Lyapunov stability. Finally, we conduct numerical simulations to verify the performance of the proposed controller.展开更多
Whilst industrial robots have been widely used in many industrial sectors, they are predominantly used in a structured factory environment. In recent years, off-site robotics have been investigated extensively and the...Whilst industrial robots have been widely used in many industrial sectors, they are predominantly used in a structured factory environment. In recent years, off-site robotics have been investigated extensively and there are some promising candidates emerging. One such category of robots is exoskeleton robots and this paper provides an in-depth assessment of their suitability in assisting human operators in undertaking manual operations typically found in the construction industry. This work aims to objectively assess the advantages and disadvantages of these two suits and provide recommendations for further improvements of similar system designs. The paper focuses on the passive exoskeleton robotic suits which are commercially available. Three types of activities are designed and a mechatronic methodology has been designed and implemented to capture visual data in order to assess these systems in comparison with normal human operations. The study suggests that these passive suits do reduce the effort required by human operators to undertake the same construction tasks as evidenced by the results from one focused study, though a number of improvements could be made to improve their performance for wider adoption.展开更多
We present a mathematical method for acceleration workspace analysis of cooperating multi-finger robot systems using a model of point-contact with friction. A new unified formulation from dynamic equations of cooperat...We present a mathematical method for acceleration workspace analysis of cooperating multi-finger robot systems using a model of point-contact with friction. A new unified formulation from dynamic equations of cooperating multi-finger robots is derived considering the force and acceleration relationships between the fingers and the object to be handled. From the dynamic equation, maximum translational and rotational acceleration bounds of an object are calculated under given constraints of contact conditions, configurations of fingers, and bounds on the torques of joint actuators for each finger. Here, the rotational acceleration bounds can be applied as an important manipulability index when the multi-finger robot grasps an object. To verify the proposed method, we used a set of case studies with a simple multi-finger mechanism system. The achievable acceleration boundary in task space can be obtained successfully with the proposed method and the acceleration boundary depends on the configurations of fingers.展开更多
The dynamics properties of a kind of multi-fingered robot hand is analyzed. It is pointed out that the dynamics property of this kind of multifingered robot hand in the approaching process is quite different from that...The dynamics properties of a kind of multi-fingered robot hand is analyzed. It is pointed out that the dynamics property of this kind of multifingered robot hand in the approaching process is quite different from that in the grasping process and,different control algorithm should be taken in the two process. A position-force hybrid control algorithm is proposed which is applied to the control system of the University of Science and Technology Beijing double-thumb robot hand successfully.展开更多
Lower limb rehabilitation exoskeleton robots integrate sensing, control, and other technologies and exhibit the characteristics of bionics, robotics, information and control science, medicine, and other interdisciplin...Lower limb rehabilitation exoskeleton robots integrate sensing, control, and other technologies and exhibit the characteristics of bionics, robotics, information and control science, medicine, and other interdisciplinary areas. In this review, the typical products and prototypes of lower limb exoskeleton rehabilitation robots are introduced and stateof-the-art techniques are analyzed and summarized. Because the goal of rehabilitation training is to recover patients’ sporting ability to the normal level, studying the human gait is the foundation of lower limb exoskeleton rehabilitation robot research. Therefore, this review critically evaluates research progress in human gait analysis and systematically summarizes developments in the mechanical design and control of lower limb rehabilitation exoskeleton robots. From the performance of typical prototypes, it can be deduced that these robots can be connected to human limbs as wearable forms;further, it is possible to control robot movement at each joint to simulate normal gait and drive the patient’s limb to realize robot-assisted rehabilitation training. Therefore human–robot integration is one of the most important research directions, and in this context, rigid-flexible-soft hybrid structure design, customized personalized gait generation, and multimodal information fusion are three key technologies.展开更多
Robotic exoskeletons have emerged as rehabilitation tool that may ameliorate several of the existing healthrelated consequences after spinal cord injury(SCI).However,evidence to support its clinical application is sti...Robotic exoskeletons have emerged as rehabilitation tool that may ameliorate several of the existing healthrelated consequences after spinal cord injury(SCI).However,evidence to support its clinical application is still lacking considering their prohibitive cost.The current mini-review is written to highlight the main limitations and potential benefits of using exoskeletons in the rehabilitation of persons with SCI.We have recognized two main areas relevant to the design of exoskeletons and to their applications on major health consequences after SCI.The design prospective refers to safety concerns,fitting time and speed of exoskeletons.The health prospective refers to factors similar to body weight,physical activity,pressure injuries and bone health.Clinical trials are currently underway to address some of these limitations and to maximize the benefits in rehabilitation settings.Future directions highlight the need to use exoskeletons in conjunction with other existing and emerging technologies similar to functional electrical stimulation and brain-computer interface to address major limitations.Exoskeletons have the potential to revolutionize rehabilitation following SCI;however,it is still premature to make solid recommendations about their clinical use after SCI.展开更多
A novel methodology for a walk-assisting balance system of the exoskeleton robot for dis-abled people is presented. The experiment on the walk-assisting balance system is implemented using amini-type ropewalker robot....A novel methodology for a walk-assisting balance system of the exoskeleton robot for dis-abled people is presented. The experiment on the walk-assisting balance system is implemented using amini-type ropewalker robot. The mechanism of the ropewalker robot is designed, its dynamic model isbuilt, and its control system based on PWM is developed. The emulations in Matlab and the results ofexperiments prove that this methodology is effective.展开更多
Recently, the need for exoskeleton robots has been increased due to the advancement of robotic technologies and changes in the concept of how the robots can be utilized in direct contact with human bodies. The robots,...Recently, the need for exoskeleton robots has been increased due to the advancement of robotic technologies and changes in the concept of how the robots can be utilized in direct contact with human bodies. The robots, once only used on the factory floor, are now becoming a part of human bodies, which provides the unprecedented level of muscle power boost and the increase of running speed. If used very carefully, the exoskeleton robots can be also used for patients’ rehabilitation. The exoskeleton robots have many potential application areas;?hence most advanced countries are currently developing various types of exoskeleton robots. Those robots can be classified into two major categories, namely the rigid type and the soft type. Each type has own advantages and disadvantages, while the carrying load capacity and the actuation speed can be quite different. There are also many technical difficulties in order to use the exoskeleton robots in the field. The aim of this study is, therefore, to introduce the trends of exoskeleton robot development in advanced countries, while providing the analysis on the technical merits and downside of robot types. The comparison chart also indicates the major technical directions, in which the future technology will be headed for, such as the improved robot response characteristics by employing advanced sensors and artificial intelligence. The robots are becoming smarter, lighter, and more powerful. It is foreseeable that the wearable robots can be a part of human life in the very near future.展开更多
目的:运用Meta分析方法系统评价康复外骨骼机器人对脑卒中患者下肢运动功能的康复疗效,并比较不同下肢外骨骼机器人的疗效差异,为脑卒中下肢运动功能障碍患者选择适合的外骨骼机器人提供科学理论依据。方法:计算机检索Cochrane Library...目的:运用Meta分析方法系统评价康复外骨骼机器人对脑卒中患者下肢运动功能的康复疗效,并比较不同下肢外骨骼机器人的疗效差异,为脑卒中下肢运动功能障碍患者选择适合的外骨骼机器人提供科学理论依据。方法:计算机检索Cochrane Library、PubMed、Web of Science、Embase、中国知网、维普和万方数据库的相关文献,收集从建库至2022年11月发表的关于探讨下肢康复外骨骼机器人改善脑卒中患者下肢运动功能的随机对照临床试验。由2名研究人员进行文献检索与筛选,使用Cochrane 5.1.0偏倚风险评估工具和Jadad量表对纳入文献进行质量评价。采用RevMan 5.4和Stata 17.0软件对结局指标进行Meta分析。结果:①最终纳入22篇文献,Jadad评分显示均为高质量文献,共865例患者,试验组436例、对照组429例。②Meta分析结果显示,与对照组相比,外骨骼机器人可显著提高脑卒中患者下肢运动功能(Fugl-Meyer Assessment of Lower Extremity,FMA-LE)评分(MD=2.63,95%CI:1.87-3.38,P<0.05)、平衡功能(Berg Balance Scale,BBS)评分(MD=3.62,95%CI:1.21-6.03,P<0.05)、站起-走测试量表(Timed Up and Go,TUG)评分(MD=-2.77,95%CI:-4.48至-1.05,P<0.05)和步频(MD=3.15,95%CI:1.57-4.72,P<0.05),但对功能性步行量表(Functional Ambulation Category Scale,FAC)评分(MD=0.30,95%CI:-0.01-0.61,P>0.05)和6 min步行测试(6-minute walk test,6MWT)评分(MD=3.77,95%CI:-6.60-14.14,P>0.05)的提高不明显。③网状Meta分析结果显示,FMA-LE评分:平地行走式外骨骼(MD=10.23,95%CI:3.81-27.49,P<0.05)和减重式外骨骼(MD=33.66,95%CI:11.49-98.54,P<0.05)与常规康复治疗相比均能改善FMA-LE评分,排序结果为减重式外骨骼>平地行走式外骨骼>常规康复治疗;BBS评分:减重式外骨骼(MD=79.86,95%CI:2.34-2725.99,P<0.05)与常规康复治疗相比能显著改善BBS评分,排序结果为减重式外骨骼>平地行走式外骨骼>常规康复治疗;FAC评分:平地行走式外骨骼(MD=1.38,95%CI:1.00-1.90,P<0.05)与常规康复治疗相比能显著改善FAC评分,排序结果为平地行走式外骨骼>减重式外骨骼>常规康复治疗;TUG评分:减重式外骨骼与常规康复治疗相比(MD=0.07,95%CI:0.01-0.51,P<0.05)能显著改善TUG评分,排序结果为平地行走式外骨骼>减重式外骨骼>常规康复治疗。结论:康复外骨骼机器人可以改善脑卒中患者平衡、步行以及日常生活活动能力,其中减重式外骨骼在提高下肢运动功能和平衡功能方面疗效更优,平地行走式外骨骼在提高功能性步行和转移能力方面疗效更佳。展开更多
文摘This paper investigates the trajectory following problem of exoskeleton robots with numerous constraints. However, as a typical nonlinear system with variability and parameter uncertainty, it is difficult to accurately achieve the trajectory tracking control for exoskeletons. In this paper, we present a robust control of trajectory tracking control based on servo constraints. Firstly, we consider the uncertainties (e.g., modelling errors, initial condition deviations, structural vibrations, and other unknown external disturbances) in the exoskeleton system, which are time-varying and bounded. Secondly, we establish the dynamic model and formulate a close-loop connection between the dynamic model and the real world. Then, the trajectory tracking issue is regarded as a servo constraint problem, and an adaptive robust control with leakage-type adaptive law is proposed with the guaranteed Lyapunov stability. Finally, we conduct numerical simulations to verify the performance of the proposed controller.
文摘Whilst industrial robots have been widely used in many industrial sectors, they are predominantly used in a structured factory environment. In recent years, off-site robotics have been investigated extensively and there are some promising candidates emerging. One such category of robots is exoskeleton robots and this paper provides an in-depth assessment of their suitability in assisting human operators in undertaking manual operations typically found in the construction industry. This work aims to objectively assess the advantages and disadvantages of these two suits and provide recommendations for further improvements of similar system designs. The paper focuses on the passive exoskeleton robotic suits which are commercially available. Three types of activities are designed and a mechatronic methodology has been designed and implemented to capture visual data in order to assess these systems in comparison with normal human operations. The study suggests that these passive suits do reduce the effort required by human operators to undertake the same construction tasks as evidenced by the results from one focused study, though a number of improvements could be made to improve their performance for wider adoption.
文摘We present a mathematical method for acceleration workspace analysis of cooperating multi-finger robot systems using a model of point-contact with friction. A new unified formulation from dynamic equations of cooperating multi-finger robots is derived considering the force and acceleration relationships between the fingers and the object to be handled. From the dynamic equation, maximum translational and rotational acceleration bounds of an object are calculated under given constraints of contact conditions, configurations of fingers, and bounds on the torques of joint actuators for each finger. Here, the rotational acceleration bounds can be applied as an important manipulability index when the multi-finger robot grasps an object. To verify the proposed method, we used a set of case studies with a simple multi-finger mechanism system. The achievable acceleration boundary in task space can be obtained successfully with the proposed method and the acceleration boundary depends on the configurations of fingers.
文摘The dynamics properties of a kind of multi-fingered robot hand is analyzed. It is pointed out that the dynamics property of this kind of multifingered robot hand in the approaching process is quite different from that in the grasping process and,different control algorithm should be taken in the two process. A position-force hybrid control algorithm is proposed which is applied to the control system of the University of Science and Technology Beijing double-thumb robot hand successfully.
基金Supported by National Key R&D Program of China(Grant No.2016YFE0105000)National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.91848104)
文摘Lower limb rehabilitation exoskeleton robots integrate sensing, control, and other technologies and exhibit the characteristics of bionics, robotics, information and control science, medicine, and other interdisciplinary areas. In this review, the typical products and prototypes of lower limb exoskeleton rehabilitation robots are introduced and stateof-the-art techniques are analyzed and summarized. Because the goal of rehabilitation training is to recover patients’ sporting ability to the normal level, studying the human gait is the foundation of lower limb exoskeleton rehabilitation robot research. Therefore, this review critically evaluates research progress in human gait analysis and systematically summarizes developments in the mechanical design and control of lower limb rehabilitation exoskeleton robots. From the performance of typical prototypes, it can be deduced that these robots can be connected to human limbs as wearable forms;further, it is possible to control robot movement at each joint to simulate normal gait and drive the patient’s limb to realize robot-assisted rehabilitation training. Therefore human–robot integration is one of the most important research directions, and in this context, rigid-flexible-soft hybrid structure design, customized personalized gait generation, and multimodal information fusion are three key technologies.
文摘Robotic exoskeletons have emerged as rehabilitation tool that may ameliorate several of the existing healthrelated consequences after spinal cord injury(SCI).However,evidence to support its clinical application is still lacking considering their prohibitive cost.The current mini-review is written to highlight the main limitations and potential benefits of using exoskeletons in the rehabilitation of persons with SCI.We have recognized two main areas relevant to the design of exoskeletons and to their applications on major health consequences after SCI.The design prospective refers to safety concerns,fitting time and speed of exoskeletons.The health prospective refers to factors similar to body weight,physical activity,pressure injuries and bone health.Clinical trials are currently underway to address some of these limitations and to maximize the benefits in rehabilitation settings.Future directions highlight the need to use exoskeletons in conjunction with other existing and emerging technologies similar to functional electrical stimulation and brain-computer interface to address major limitations.Exoskeletons have the potential to revolutionize rehabilitation following SCI;however,it is still premature to make solid recommendations about their clinical use after SCI.
基金This project is supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (No.60205006) and International Cooperation Foundation (Germany).
文摘A novel methodology for a walk-assisting balance system of the exoskeleton robot for dis-abled people is presented. The experiment on the walk-assisting balance system is implemented using amini-type ropewalker robot. The mechanism of the ropewalker robot is designed, its dynamic model isbuilt, and its control system based on PWM is developed. The emulations in Matlab and the results ofexperiments prove that this methodology is effective.
文摘Recently, the need for exoskeleton robots has been increased due to the advancement of robotic technologies and changes in the concept of how the robots can be utilized in direct contact with human bodies. The robots, once only used on the factory floor, are now becoming a part of human bodies, which provides the unprecedented level of muscle power boost and the increase of running speed. If used very carefully, the exoskeleton robots can be also used for patients’ rehabilitation. The exoskeleton robots have many potential application areas;?hence most advanced countries are currently developing various types of exoskeleton robots. Those robots can be classified into two major categories, namely the rigid type and the soft type. Each type has own advantages and disadvantages, while the carrying load capacity and the actuation speed can be quite different. There are also many technical difficulties in order to use the exoskeleton robots in the field. The aim of this study is, therefore, to introduce the trends of exoskeleton robot development in advanced countries, while providing the analysis on the technical merits and downside of robot types. The comparison chart also indicates the major technical directions, in which the future technology will be headed for, such as the improved robot response characteristics by employing advanced sensors and artificial intelligence. The robots are becoming smarter, lighter, and more powerful. It is foreseeable that the wearable robots can be a part of human life in the very near future.
文摘目的:运用Meta分析方法系统评价康复外骨骼机器人对脑卒中患者下肢运动功能的康复疗效,并比较不同下肢外骨骼机器人的疗效差异,为脑卒中下肢运动功能障碍患者选择适合的外骨骼机器人提供科学理论依据。方法:计算机检索Cochrane Library、PubMed、Web of Science、Embase、中国知网、维普和万方数据库的相关文献,收集从建库至2022年11月发表的关于探讨下肢康复外骨骼机器人改善脑卒中患者下肢运动功能的随机对照临床试验。由2名研究人员进行文献检索与筛选,使用Cochrane 5.1.0偏倚风险评估工具和Jadad量表对纳入文献进行质量评价。采用RevMan 5.4和Stata 17.0软件对结局指标进行Meta分析。结果:①最终纳入22篇文献,Jadad评分显示均为高质量文献,共865例患者,试验组436例、对照组429例。②Meta分析结果显示,与对照组相比,外骨骼机器人可显著提高脑卒中患者下肢运动功能(Fugl-Meyer Assessment of Lower Extremity,FMA-LE)评分(MD=2.63,95%CI:1.87-3.38,P<0.05)、平衡功能(Berg Balance Scale,BBS)评分(MD=3.62,95%CI:1.21-6.03,P<0.05)、站起-走测试量表(Timed Up and Go,TUG)评分(MD=-2.77,95%CI:-4.48至-1.05,P<0.05)和步频(MD=3.15,95%CI:1.57-4.72,P<0.05),但对功能性步行量表(Functional Ambulation Category Scale,FAC)评分(MD=0.30,95%CI:-0.01-0.61,P>0.05)和6 min步行测试(6-minute walk test,6MWT)评分(MD=3.77,95%CI:-6.60-14.14,P>0.05)的提高不明显。③网状Meta分析结果显示,FMA-LE评分:平地行走式外骨骼(MD=10.23,95%CI:3.81-27.49,P<0.05)和减重式外骨骼(MD=33.66,95%CI:11.49-98.54,P<0.05)与常规康复治疗相比均能改善FMA-LE评分,排序结果为减重式外骨骼>平地行走式外骨骼>常规康复治疗;BBS评分:减重式外骨骼(MD=79.86,95%CI:2.34-2725.99,P<0.05)与常规康复治疗相比能显著改善BBS评分,排序结果为减重式外骨骼>平地行走式外骨骼>常规康复治疗;FAC评分:平地行走式外骨骼(MD=1.38,95%CI:1.00-1.90,P<0.05)与常规康复治疗相比能显著改善FAC评分,排序结果为平地行走式外骨骼>减重式外骨骼>常规康复治疗;TUG评分:减重式外骨骼与常规康复治疗相比(MD=0.07,95%CI:0.01-0.51,P<0.05)能显著改善TUG评分,排序结果为平地行走式外骨骼>减重式外骨骼>常规康复治疗。结论:康复外骨骼机器人可以改善脑卒中患者平衡、步行以及日常生活活动能力,其中减重式外骨骼在提高下肢运动功能和平衡功能方面疗效更优,平地行走式外骨骼在提高功能性步行和转移能力方面疗效更佳。