MORE | Spring 2024

Development of a Modular Actuator for Hip and Ankle Joint

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In modern industry, worker well-being is a top priority. To address physical strain and reduce injury risks, there’s growing interest in using assistive devices. This study aims to develop a modular actuator for assisting ankle inversion-eversion motion and hip joint flexion. The device offers targeted support for the ankle, aiding in controlled inversion-eversion. With interchangeable modular components, it also enables entrainment for hip joint flexion. The actuator, utilizing a cable-driven design, delivers torque to the targeted joint with minimal modifications. In the future, this study can be used as a basis to develop more advanced actuators catering to a broader research area.

Student researcher

Suhrud Parag Joglekar

Robotics and autonomous systems

Hometown: Tempe, Arizona, United States

Graduation date: Spring 2024