Bilateral Exoskeletonal Assistive Robot (BEAR)

BEAR-H1 is a novel compliant wearable exoskeleton robot for gait rehabilitation training after a stroke. The robot consists of 6 lower-limb joints which are powered by novel compliant actuators and passive joints for free pelvic motion. Multiple sensors are implemented to detect the human gait and intention. The system is also enhanced with AI algorithms. Both intelligence and flexibility can be found in this design. Compared with the existing rehabilitation robots, this exoskeleton absorbs internal and external impact while accurately controlling the force of human-robot interaction, which greatly improves safety and reduces energy consumption. Actuated ankle joints are introduced into the system to achieve a more natural gait and avoid possible secondary user injuries. Additional DoF (degree of freedom) is considered for pelvic motion, which increases the flexibility during walking. The hip width, thigh size and shank length can be adjusted to fit different body profiles. More than 20 different sensors are implemented to monitor the gait status during training. Bilateral Exoskeletonal Assistive Robot overcomes the limitations of traditional manual rehabilitation training by reducing the input to allow more patients the opportunity to receive treatment. Proper robotic assistance is delivered based on the sensor feedback to achieve the most effective rehabilitation. Red Dot Award: Design Concept | Ready to Launch | Bionics