Is this project an undergraduate, graduate, or faculty project?
Undergraduate
Project Type
group
Campus
Daytona Beach
Authors' Class Standing
Bryan Gonzalez, Sophomore Joseph McNaughton, Sophomore Sergio Carli, Sophomore Bryson Prince, Freshmen Nicolas Suarez, Sophomore
Lead Presenter's Name
Bryan Gonzalez
Faculty Mentor Name
Sergey Drakunov
Abstract
The overarching concept of the Omni-usability Soft Robotic Exoskeleton (OSRE) is to create a safe exoskeleton platform that has a potential for use in a variety of fields by changing the programming based on the desires or needs of the user. This exoskeleton platform has potential usage in several fields of various applications. Within the medical field, the OSRE acts as a safe full-body physical therapy device. The aerospace field can utilize the OSRE platform as a way to train pilots through muscle memory generated using programs built for the platform. A further application of the OSRE is in the aerospace physiology field, where its ability to act as a resistive device can help prevent muscle atrophy in low gravity.
The OSRE uses McKibben muscles to mimic the body's natural muscle groups and their movements. The use of this style of pneumatic muscles allows for seamless integration once a user puts on the OSRE by reading the electrical signals from the user's muscles with small electrodes, and can also utilize preset programs to aid in muscle memory development. Due to the utilization of McKibben muscles, the OSRE platform can be used as either a resistive or assistive device. The OSRE's adaptability stems from the placement of soft robotic muscles at flex point anchors along the body. To achieve these goals in the research, we will be controlling the length of the muscles based on the pneumatic flow rate into each muscle. Additionally, we will be creating an interface utilizing input electromyography data, which is then interpreted by the system to generate the corresponding movement based on control algorithms, which will then control the release of air into the Mckibben muscles from the solenoids.
To maintain safety due to the human factor involved in this system, the soft robotic muscles on the OSRE will operate between 10 PSI and 60 PSI, based on the size of the muscle.
Did this research project receive funding support (Spark, SURF, Research Abroad, Student Internal Grants, Collaborative, Climbing, or Ignite Grants) from the Office of Undergraduate Research?
Yes, Ignite Grant
Omni-usability Soft Robotic Exoskeleton
The overarching concept of the Omni-usability Soft Robotic Exoskeleton (OSRE) is to create a safe exoskeleton platform that has a potential for use in a variety of fields by changing the programming based on the desires or needs of the user. This exoskeleton platform has potential usage in several fields of various applications. Within the medical field, the OSRE acts as a safe full-body physical therapy device. The aerospace field can utilize the OSRE platform as a way to train pilots through muscle memory generated using programs built for the platform. A further application of the OSRE is in the aerospace physiology field, where its ability to act as a resistive device can help prevent muscle atrophy in low gravity.
The OSRE uses McKibben muscles to mimic the body's natural muscle groups and their movements. The use of this style of pneumatic muscles allows for seamless integration once a user puts on the OSRE by reading the electrical signals from the user's muscles with small electrodes, and can also utilize preset programs to aid in muscle memory development. Due to the utilization of McKibben muscles, the OSRE platform can be used as either a resistive or assistive device. The OSRE's adaptability stems from the placement of soft robotic muscles at flex point anchors along the body. To achieve these goals in the research, we will be controlling the length of the muscles based on the pneumatic flow rate into each muscle. Additionally, we will be creating an interface utilizing input electromyography data, which is then interpreted by the system to generate the corresponding movement based on control algorithms, which will then control the release of air into the Mckibben muscles from the solenoids.
To maintain safety due to the human factor involved in this system, the soft robotic muscles on the OSRE will operate between 10 PSI and 60 PSI, based on the size of the muscle.