Exoskeletons for Gait Assistance and Training of the Motor-Impaired

Robotics is emerging as a promising tool for training of human functional movement. The current research in this area is focused primarily on upper extremity movements. This paper describes novel designs of three lower extremity exoskeletons, intended for gait assistance and training of motor-impaired patients. The design of each of these exoskeletons is novel and different. Force and position sensors on the exoskeleton provide feedback to the user during training. The exoskeletons have undergone limited tests on healthy and stroke survivors to assess their potential for treadmill walking. GBO is a gravity balancing un-motorized orthosis which can alter the gravity acting at the hip and knee joints during swing. ALEX is an actively driven leg exoskeleton which can modulate the foot trajectory using motors at the joints. SUE is a bilateral swing-assist un-motorized exoskeleton to propel the leg during gait.