Exoskeletons and wearable robotics are devices that can provide support, protection, and augmentation to specific parts of the human body, such as the lower or upper limbs, the spine, or the whole body. Exoskeletons and wearable robotics can be powered or passive, depending on whether they have actuators that can deliver external forces to the user, or rely on the user’s own muscles and movements. Exoskeletons and wearable robotics can have various applications and benefits, such as improving mobility, strength, endurance, and rehabilitation for people with disabilities, injuries, or illnesses; enhancing performance, safety, and comfort for workers in various industries and environments; and providing entertainment, education, and social interaction for consumers and hobbyists.
Exoskeletons and wearable robotics are not a new concept, but they have been evolving rapidly in recent years, thanks to the advances in technology, such as sensors, actuators, batteries, materials, and artificial intelligence. According to a report by Global Market Insights, the global market for exoskeletons and wearable robotics is expected to reach $5.5 billion by 2026, with a compound annual growth rate of 40.4%. In this blog post, we will explore some of the current trends and developments in exoskeletons and wearable robotics, and how they can shape the future of human capabilities and quality of life.
Lower-Limb Exoskeletons and Wearable Robotics for Gait Assistance and Rehabilitation
One of the most common and promising applications of exoskeletons and wearable robotics is to assist and rehabilitate people with gait disorders, such as those caused by spinal cord injury, stroke, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, or aging. Lower-limb exoskeletons and wearable robotics can provide mechanical support and guidance to the user’s legs, hips, and ankles, and help them walk, stand, or sit. Lower-limb exoskeletons and wearable robotics can be classified into two types: rigid and soft.
Rigid lower-limb exoskeletons and wearable robotics are composed of rigid links and joints that can mimic the natural kinematics and dynamics of the human legs. They can provide high levels of force and stability to the user, but they are also heavy, bulky, and complex to operate. Some examples of rigid lower-limb exoskeletons and wearable robotics are ReWall, Ekso, and HAL, which are mainly used for rehabilitation and mobility assistance in clinical settings or at home.
Soft lower-limb exoskeletons and wearable robotics are composed of soft and flexible materials, such as textiles, elastomers, or pneumatic actuators, that can conform to the shape and movement of the human body. They can provide low to moderate levels of force and assistance to the user, but they are also lightweight, compact, and easy to wear and use. Some examples of soft lower-limb exoskeletons and wearable robotics are ReStore, Soft Exosuit, and XoSoft, which are mainly used for gait training and physical exercise in various settings and scenarios.
Lower-limb exoskeletons and wearable robotics can have various benefits for people with gait disorders, such as improving their walking speed, distance, and symmetry; reducing their energy expenditure and muscle fatigue; increasing their muscle strength and bone density; preventing or reducing secondary health complications, such as pressure ulcers, urinary tract infections, or cardiovascular problems; and enhancing their psychological and social well-being, such as their confidence, independence, and quality of life.
Upper-Limb Exoskeletons and Wearable Robotics for Manipulation Assistance and Rehabilitation
Another important application of exoskeletons and wearable robotics is to assist and rehabilitate people with upper-limb impairments, such as those caused by stroke, spinal cord injury, muscular dystrophy, or amputation. Upper-limb exoskeletons and wearable robotics can provide mechanical support and guidance to the user’s arms, elbows, wrists, and hands, and help them perform various tasks, such as grasping, lifting, or reaching. Upper-limb exoskeletons and wearable robotics can be classified into two types: end-effector and exoskeletal.
End-effector upper-limb exoskeletons and wearable robotics are composed of a single link or a series of links that can move the user’s hand or forearm to a desired position or orientation. They can provide high levels of accuracy and repeatability to the user, but they are also limited by the workspace and the degrees of freedom of the device. Some examples of end-effector upper-limb exoskeletons and wearable robotics are MIT-MANUS, Armeo, and InMotion, which are mainly used for rehabilitation and recovery of motor function in clinical settings.
Exoskeletal upper-limb exoskeletons and wearable robotics are composed of multiple links and joints that can follow and augment the natural kinematics and dynamics of the human arm. They can provide high levels of force and dexterity to the user, but they are also complex, heavy, and cumbersome to wear and use. Some examples of exoskeletal upper-limb exoskeletons and wearable robotics are X-Arm, Harmony, and Supernumerary Robotic Limbs, which are mainly used for manipulation assistance and enhancement in industrial, military, or domestic settings.
Upper-limb exoskeletons and wearable robotics can have various benefits for people with upper-limb impairments, such as improving their motor function, coordination, and range of motion; reducing their pain, spasticity, and muscle atrophy; increasing their functional independence and activities of daily living; preventing or reducing secondary health complications, such as contractures, edema, or infections; and enhancing their psychological and social well-being, such as their self-esteem, motivation, and quality of life.
Whole-Body Exoskeletons and Wearable Robotics for Strength and Endurance Enhancement
A third application of exoskeletons and wearable robotics is to enhance the strength and endurance of healthy or able-bodied people, such as workers, soldiers, or athletes. Whole-body exoskeletons and wearable robotics can provide mechanical support and augmentation to the user’s entire body, or to specific regions, such as the back, the shoulders, or the knees, and help them perform various tasks, such as lifting, carrying, or running. Whole-body exoskeletons and wearable robotics can be classified into two types: passive and active.
Passive whole-body exoskeletons and wearable robotics are composed of springs, dampers, or elastic elements that can store and release energy during the user’s movements. They can provide low to moderate levels of assistance to the user, but they are also simple, lightweight, and low-cost. Some examples of passive whole-body exoskeletons and wearable robotics are Laevo, SuitX, and Levitate, which are mainly used for reducing the load and fatigue of the user’s muscles and joints in various occupational settings.
Active whole-body exoskeletons and wearable robotics are composed of motors, batteries, or hydraulic systems that can deliver external forces to the user’s body. They can provide high levels of assistance and augmentation to the user, but they are also complex, heavy, and expensive. Some examples of active whole-body exoskeletons and wearable robotics are HULC, Guardian XO, and Iron Man Suit, which are mainly used for increasing the load and performance of the user’s muscles and joints in various military, industrial, or entertainment settings.
Whole-body exoskeletons and wearable robotics can have various benefits for healthy or able-bodied people, such as improving their strength, endurance, and speed; reducing their energy expenditure and muscle fatigue; increasing their productivity and efficiency; preventing or reducing musculoskeletal injuries and disorders, such as low back pain, shoulder pain, or knee pain; and enhancing their experience and enjoyment, such as their immersion, engagement, and fun.
Conclusion
Exoskeletons and wearable robotics are devices that can provide support, protection, and augmentation to specific parts of the human body, such as the lower or upper limbs, the spine, or the whole body. Exoskeletons and wearable robotics can have various applications and benefits, such as improving mobility, strength, endurance, and rehabilitation for people with disabilities, injuries, or illnesses; enhancing performance, safety, and comfort for workers in various industries and environments; and providing entertainment, education, and social interaction for consumers and hobbyists. Exoskeletons and wearable robotics are not a new concept, but they have been evolving rapidly in recent years, thanks to the advances in technology, such as sensors, actuators, batteries, materials, and artificial intelligence. Exoskeletons and wearable robotics are still in their early stages of development and adoption, and face many challenges and limitations, such as the weight, size, cost, and complexity of the devices; the safety, reliability, and usability of the devices; the ethical, legal, and social implications of the devices; and the acceptance, adoption, and satisfaction of the users. Exoskeletons and wearable robotics have a lot of potential and promise to shape the future of human capabilities and quality of life. In this blog post, we have explored some of the current trends and developments in exoskeletons and wearable robotics, and how they can enhance human capabilities and quality of life in various domains and scenarios. We hope you enjoyed reading this blog post, and learned something new and interesting about exoskeletons and wearable robotics. If you have any questions, comments, or feedback, please feel free to share them with us. Thank you for your attention and interest.