• Journal of Institute of Control, Robotics and Systems
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• v.18 no.12
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• pp.1122-1131
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• 2012

This paper presents obstacle avoidance method for scout robot or industrial robot in unknown environment by using IR sensor and vision system. In the proposed method, robots share the information where the obstacles are located in real-time, thus the robots can choose the best path for obstacle avoidance. Using IR sensor and vision system, multiple robots efficiently evade the obstacles by the proposed cooperation method. No landmark is used at wall or floor in experiment environment. The obstacles don't have specific color or shape. To get the information of the obstacle, vision system extracts the obstacle coordinate by using an image labeling method. The information obtained by IR sensor is about the obstacle range and the locomotion direction to decide the optimal path for avoiding obstacle. The experiment was conducted in $7m{\times}7m$ indoor environment with two-wheeled mobile robots. It is shown that multiple robots efficiently move along the optimal path in cooperation with each other in the space where obstacles are located.

• Journal of Mechanical Science and Technology
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.602-611
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• 2006

This paper proposes a locomotion pattern and a control method for biped robots with curved soles. First, since the contact point of a supporting leg may arbitrarily move back and forth on the ground, we derived the desired trajectory from a model called the Moving. Inverted Pendulum Model (MIPM) where the Zero Moment Point (ZMP) exists at the supporting point and can be moved intentionally. Secondly, a biped robot with curved soles is an under-actuated system since the supporting point contacting with a point on the ground has no actuator during the single supporting phase. Therefore, this paper proposes a computed-torque control for this under-actuated system using decoupled dynamic equations. A series of computer simulations with a 7-DOF biped robot with curved soles shows that the proposed walking pattern and control method are effective and allow the biped robot to walk fast and stably, and move more like human beings. Also, it is shown that the curved sole shape has superior energy consumption compared to flat soles, and greater efficiency in ascending and descending the stairs.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.123-130
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• 2021

PURPOSE: Robotic gait training is being used increasingly to improve the gross motor performance and gait speed. The present study examined the effectiveness of a novel end-effector type of robotic gait training (RGT) system on standing, walking, running, and jumping functions, as well as the gait speed in children with spastic cerebral palsy. METHODS: Eleven children with spastic cerebral palsy Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels I-III (6 males; age range, 15.09 ± 1.44 years) were examined. They underwent 24 sessions (30 minutes/sessions, one time/day, three days/week for eight consecutive weeks) of RGT. The Gross Motor Function Measure-88 D domain (GMFM D), and GMFM E were assessed with a pretest and posttest of RGT. The setting was a one-group pretest-posttest design. RESULTS: A comparison of the pre-test and post-test show that the outcomes in post-test of GMFM D (p < .01), GMFM E (p < .05), and 10MWT were improved significantly after RGT intervention. CONCLUSION: The present study provided the first evidence on the effects of an eight-weeks RGT intervention in participants with spastic CP. The outcomes of this clinical study showed that standing performance, locomotion function, and gait speed increased in after 24 sessions of the end-effector RGT system in children with spastic cerebral palsy.

• BMB Reports
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• v.56 no.4
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• pp.240-245
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• 2023

Glial cells play important roles during neurogenesis and in maintaining complex functions of the nervous system. Here, we report the characterization of a gene, Sdr, which contains a putative insulin-like growth factor receptor domain and is required to maintain critical nervous system functions in Drosophila. Sdr is expressed in glial cells during embryonic and larval stages of development, but its role in adult flies is poorly understood. As insulin signaling is important throughout the lifespan in human, we investigated the Sdr's role in adult flies. Our results demonstrate that Sdr is expressed on surface glial cells that surround the nervous system. Mutation of Sdr did not affect development but caused defects in locomotion and lifespan. Sdr mutants also showed increasingly severe defects in the blood-brain- and blood-retina-barriers as they aged. Therefore, we suggest a novel role of Sdr in maintaining the integrity of the blood-brain- and blood-retina-barriers in adult flies.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.83-98
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• 2004

The purpose of this study was to investigate the test-retest of plantar pressures using the F-Scan system over speeds and plantar regions. 6 healthy female subjects in 20's were recruited for the study. Plantar pressure measurements during locomotor activities can provide information concerning foot function, particularly if the timing and magnitude of the loading profile can be related to the location of specific foot structures such as the metatarsal heads. The Tekscan F-Scan system consists of a flexible, 0.18mm thick sole-shape having 1260 pressure sensors, the sensor insole was trimmed to fit the subjects' right. left shoes - sneakers shoes & dress shoes. It was calibrated by the known weight of the test subject standing on one foot. The Tekscan measurements show the insole pressure distribution as a function of the time. This finding has important implications for the development of plantar pressure test protocols where the function of the forefoot is important. According to the result of analysis it is as follows 1) Center of force trajectory in women's dress shoes display direct movement, compare with center of force trajectory in Sneaker shoes displays a little bit curved slow pronation movement. Sneaker shoes in forefoot part display very quick supination movement, therefore, this shoes effects negative effectiveness for ankle's stability Considering center of force trajectory analyzing the more center of force close straight line, the more movement can be quick movement for locomotion. For foot pressure distribution, center of force trajectory in locomotion is better to curved trajectory with pronation movement. So sneaker shoes style is good shoes considering center of pressure distribution trajectory compare with women's dress shoes. 2) Women's dress shoes increased peak pressure in medial, this is effected by high hill's height. The more increased women's dress shoes's height, the more women's peak pressure will increase, pronation can increase compare with before. Supination movement increase, this focused pressure in lateral, also, supination increased more. If the supination movement increased, foot pressure focused in lateral, therefore, it is appeared force distribution in gait direction. This is bad movement in foot's stability. 3) Women's dress shoes in landing phase displayed a long time, this is when women's dress shoes wear, gait movement is unbalance, so, landing phase displayed a long time. For compensation in gait, swing phase quick movement. 4) Women's dress shoes displayed peak pressure distribution in lateral of rearfoot part, Sneakers shoes displayed peak pressure distribution in medial of forefoot part. Its results has good impact absorption compare with women's dress shoes. In forefoot part, sneakers shoes has good propulsive force compare with women's dress shoes.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.398-404
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• 2012

Purpose: This is designed to study the effect of weight-support walking training through motor learning on motor functions of children with cerebral palsy, in particular their activity of daily living and balance. Methods: Thirteen children with spastic cerebral palsy, at gross motor function classification system (GMFCS) levels III~IV, underwent treadmill walking training. It used principles of weight support, 4 times a week for 7 weeks, 10 minutes at a time, before and after neurodevelopmental physical therapy. Everyday functions were measured using Functional Independence Measure for Children (Wee-FIM). The ability to keep their balance was measured using electronic measuring equipment from good balance system and the assessment was made before and after the experiment. Results: There were significant differences (p<0.05) between pre and post experiment levels of functional independence in everyday life, in self-care activities, mobility, locomotion and social cognition. With regard to changes in standing balance, there were significant differences before and after the experiment (p<0.05) in GMFCS level III. There was a reduction in the agitation velocity in the x- and y-axes which measures the left-to-right shaking; in GMFCS level IV, velocity moment was reduced. Conclusion: Walking training using a treadmill can help improve the everyday activity and balance in children with spastic cerebral palsy. It can also be served as a useful purpose as a method of intervention in pediatric care.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Precision Engineering
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.359-367
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• 2013

With recent growth of the economy and development of construction technology, the increase of high-rise buildings is appearing rapidly in urban areas. For this reason, the interest in building maintenance has also been increasing. However, it has many safety problems because it is difficult for the workers to access the exterior wall of building. Therefore, the maintenance system of high-rise building stands out as being important issues to be developed, so that a variety of robot systems have been developed to accomplish the building-wall maintenance works. In this paper, the maintenance robots are classified in painting, inspecting, cleaning systems according to the maintenance works. Then, their locomotion and adhesion mechanisms are analyzed including their applicability to the real maintenance works. This study can be used to develop maintenance robotic system that is more efficient and stable than existing ones.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.35-42
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• 2012

The aim of the present study was to investigate effect of running speed conditions on the kinematic pattern of the metatarsus, mid-foot, calcaneus. Twenty-two healthy young adults were made to run on treadmill at three different running speeds(normal speed, 9.2; slow speed, 7.4; fast speed, 11.1km/hr.) and the trajectories of the 10 reflective markers for each subject were recorded by an eight-camera motion capture system at 200 Hz. Three-dimensional angles for the foot segment in the support phase during running were calculated according to Euler's technique. Results showed that running speed did not affect the peak of the dorsi/plantar flexion, inversion/eversion, and adduction/abduction or their range of motion for each foot segment. However, when the running speed was fast, significant differences were found in the peak of the plantar flexion, eversion, and adduction and ROM(range of motion) of the dorsi/plantar flexion, inversion/eversion, and adduction/abduction between the foot segments, metatarsus, mid-foot, and calcaneus. It was proposed that the foot segment should be analyzed from a multi-segment system point of view on the basis of anatomical reference during locomotion.

• Journal of Institute of Control, Robotics and Systems
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.505-511
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• 2011

In this paper, we have developed an automatic velocity control system of a small-sized commercial treadmill (belt length of 1.2 m and width of 0.5 m) which is widely used at home and health centers. The control objective is to automatically adjust the treadmill velocity so that the subject's position is maintained within the track when the subject walks at a variable velocity. The subject's position with respect to a reference point is measured by a low-cost sonar sensor located on the back of the subject. Based on an encoder sensor measurement at the treadmill motor, a state feedback control algorithm with Kalman filter was implemented to determine the velocity of the treadmill. In order to reduce the unnatural inertia force felt by the subject, a predefined acceleration limit was applied, which generated smooth velocity trajectories. The experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method in providing successful velocity changes in response to variable velocity walking without causing significant inertia force to the subject. In the pilot study with three subjects, users could change their walking velocity easily and naturally with small deviations during slow, medium, and fast walking. The proposed automatic velocity control algorithm can potentially be applied to any locomotion interface in an economical way without having to use sophisticated and expensive sensors and larger treadmills.

• KIPS Transactions on Software and Data Engineering
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.217-222
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• 2017

Recent studies for working robot in dangerous places have been carried out on large unmanned ground vehicles or 4-legged robots with the advantage of long working time, but it is difficult to apply in practical dangerous fields which require the real-time system with high locomotion and capability of delicate working. This research shows the collaborated docking system of drone and ground vehicles which combines image processing algorithm and laser sensors for effective detection of docking markers, and is finally capable of moving a long distance and doing very delicate works. We proposed the docking system of drone and ground vehicles with sensor fusion which also suggests two template matching methods appropriate for this application. The system showed 95% docking success rate in 50 docking attempts.