On the mechanical design of the Berkeley Lower Extremity Exoskeleton (BLEEX)

The first energetically autonomous lower extremity exoskeleton capable of carrying a payload has been demonstrated at U.C. Berkeley. This paper summarizes the mechanical design of the Berkeley Lower Extremity Exoskeleton (BLEEX). The anthropomorphically-based BLEEX has seven degrees of freedom per leg, four of which are powered by linear hydraulic actuators. The selection of the degrees of freedom and their ranges of motion are described. Additionally, the significant design aspects of the major BLEEX components are covered.