FURI | Fall 2018

All in the Hips: Exoskeletal Design for Rehabilitation and Lift-Support

The focus of this research is to develop a wearable system that will augment the user’s own lifting capabilities. Several systems on the market accomplish this task but are bulky and alter or limit natural motion and body position. Previous research demonstrated that substantial force can be generated using flexible elliptical shafts at a significant reduction in overall system mass. The current design will relieve much of the strain on the lower back and hips, and allow poses such as kneeling, which other systems do not accommodate. Further research and development will present an industry level ready-for-duty model.