The exoskeleton expansion: improving walking and running economy

• Published in: Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitation Vol. 17; no. 1; pp. 25 - 9
• Main Authors: Sawicki, Gregory S., Beck, Owen N., Kang, Inseung, Young, Aaron J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England BioMed Central Ltd 19.02.2020; BioMed Central; BMC
• Subjects: Actuators; Ambulation aids; Ankle; Assistive devices; Biomechanical Phenomena; Control equipment; Cost analysis; Design and construction; Economics; Energetic; Exoskeleton; Exoskeleton Device - trends; Exoskeletons; Human performance; Humans; Legs; Lower Extremity - physiology; Male; Marathons; Medical research; Metabolic cost; Metabolism; Mobility; Physiological aspects; Physiology; Researchers; Review; Robotics; Robotics - instrumentation; Robotics industry; Run; Running; Running - physiology; Technological innovations; Technology; Walk; Walking; Walking - physiology; Wearable robotics; Weeds; United States; Augmentation; Walk; Economy; Energetic; Wearable robotics; Run; Assistive devices; Metabolic cost
• ISSN: 1743-0003; 1743-0003
• DOI: 10.1186/s12984-020-00663-9

Since the early 2000s, researchers have been trying to develop lower-limb exoskeletons that augment human mobility by reducing the metabolic cost of walking and running versus without a device. In 2013, researchers finally broke this ‘metabolic cost barrier’. We analyzed the literature through December 2019, and identified 23 studies that demonstrate exoskeleton designs that improved human walking and running economy beyond capable without a device. Here, we reviewed these studies and highlighted key innovations and techniques that enabled these devices to surpass the metabolic cost barrier and steadily improve user walking and running economy from 2013 to nearly 2020. These studies include, physiologically-informed targeting of lower-limb joints; use of off-board actuators to rapidly prototype exoskeleton controllers; mechatronic designs of both active and passive systems; and a renewed focus on human-exoskeleton interface design. Lastly, we highlight emerging trends that we anticipate will further augment wearable-device performance and pose the next grand challenges facing exoskeleton technology for augmenting human mobility.