RESEARCHERS from the University of Limerick are part of a team working on a wearable-robotics project, aimed at improving movement for people with reduced mobility.
Led by the Italian Institute of Technology, they are planning to build the first fully functional prototype of XoSoft ‘intelligent’ trousers by 2019. The soft, biometic exoskeleton would allow older people or people with disabilities to move their legs by detecting movement intention.
Work has already begun on the wearable soft-robotics intelligent-clothing system.
The Design Factors Research Group based in UL’s School of Design is part of the health-robotics project to develop the soft, modular, lower-limb exoskeleton. This group is led by UL senior lecturer in Design Ergonomics Dr Leonard O’Sullivan and head of UL’s School of Design, Dr Adam de Eyto.
According to Dr O’Sullivan, this technology could be life changing for older people and people with disabilities.
“There are 3.2 million wheelchair users in Europe and another 40 million who cannot walk without an aid. People with limitation in independent movement of their legs can rely on a variety of assistive devices. Yet the available assistive aids are usually bulky, fairly inflexible and can therefore only partially support the process of movement. Neither do they encourage or support the activation of legs, which is essential to prevent further atrophy. This is where XoSoft comes in,” he explained.
In the XoSoft project, advanced textiles and smart materials will be used to create sensing and variable-stiffness joints. Built-in sensors will communicate the user’s motion and intention to the controlling unit for analysis to determine and provide, the appropriate level of assistance. Depending on the user’s need at a given moment, the device will provide support, release or freedom of movement.
The UL group will use their expertise in user-centred design and medical-device innovation to lead this aspect of the design of XoSoft.
by Alan Jacques
