Exosuit helps with heavy physical work
Researchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology have developed a new exoskeleton that supports not only vertical but also rotational movements.
Researchers led by Aaron Young from the Georgia Institute of Technology have developed the "Asymmetric Back eXosuit" (ABX), a new exoskeleton that provides support not only for vertical but also for rotational movements. The innovation only puts a weight of around six kilograms on the wearer's legs. If the body is stretched from a bent position or the upper body is rotated, the ABX becomes active.
No back pain
Researchers have been looking for a way to reduce the strain on the spine in order to prevent back pain. They have succeeded with a high-tech backpack that is put on. Two motors are attached to the backs of the thighs. These are connected to the opposite shoulder with steel cables so that they cross each other. These cables transmit the power of the motors to the body when the integrated sensors detect a movement.
In tests, test subjects equipped with ABX picked up weights from the floor and swung them to the side, reducing the strain on the back muscles by an average of 16 percent. This was determined using electromyography sensors. When simply lifting a weight from the floor, the relief for the back muscles was as much as 37 percent. "People definitely felt that the technology was helping them," emphasizes Young.
Goal: finer force dosage
The team is currently seeking cooperation with industry partners to further develop ABX. According to Young, the system, which recognizes movements, still needs to be improved. When a person lifts their upper body from a lowered position, the cables currently always pull with the same force, regardless of the support required. "It should be possible to get the system to recognize different actions of the wearer and dose its support as required," concludes Young, highlighting one improvement option.
