• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Precision Engineering Conference
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• 2012.05a
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• pp.315-316
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• 2012

• The Journal of Korea Robotics Society
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.124-131
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• 2017

This paper present a novel approach to control the lower body power assistive exoskeleton system of a HEXAR-CR35 aimed at improving a muscular strength. More specifically the control of based on the human intention is crucial of importance to ensure intuitive and dexterous motion with the human. In this contribution, we proposed the detection algorithm of the human intention using the MCRS which are developed to measure the contraction of the muscle with variation of the circumference. The proposed algorithm provides a joint motion of exoskeleton corresponding the relate muscles. The main advantages of the algorithm are its simplicity, computational efficiency to control one joint of the HEXAR-CR35 which are consisted knee-active type exoskeleton (the other joints are consisted with the passive or quasi-passive joints that can be arranged by analyzing of the human joint functions). As a consequence, the motion of exoskeleton is generated according to the gait phase: swing and stance phase which are determined by the foot insole sensors. The experimental evaluation of the proposed algorithm is achieved in walking with the exoskeleton while carrying the external mass in the back side.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.357-364
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• 2010

This study proposes a lower-limb exoskeleton system that is controlled by a wearer's muscle activity. This system is designed by following procedure. First, analyze the muscle activation patterns of human leg while walking. Second, select the adequate actuator to support the human walking based on calculation of required force of knee joint for step walking. Third, unit type knee and ankle orthotics are integrated with selected actuator. Finally, using this knee-assistive system (KAS) and developed muscle stiffness sensors (MSS), the muscle activity pattern of the subject is analyzed while he is walking on the stair. This study proposes an operating algorithm of KAS based on command signal of MSS which is generated by motion intent of human. A healthy and normal subject walked while wearing the developed powered-knee exoskeleton on his/her knees, and measured effectively assisted plantar flexor strength of the subject's knees and those neighboring muscles. Finally, capabilities and feasibility of the KAS are evaluated by testing the adapted motor pattern and the EMG signal variance while walking with exoskeleton. These results shows that developed exoskeleton which controlled by muscle activity could help human's walking acceptably.

• Journal of rehabilitation welfare engineering & assistive technology
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2015

This paper reviews trends of the rehabilitation welfare devices on the basis of products and markets. Latest assistive devices tend to have a fold function. Auxiliary power assist module has been added. The completion of products has been improved. The folding function has strong relationship with portability. Specifically, various mobility devices, including foldable devices, are associated with enhanced portability. Powered auxiliary wheels and upper extremity supporting modules have entered the market. The leading-edge technology like Segway's control technology applies to two-wheel wheelchairs. The brand- new technology, lower extremity robotic exoskeleton, applies to markets. Standing wheelchairs, ramps, stair climbing assistive devices becomes more common. In addition, a combination of a variety of smart devices is being promoted to the classical assistive devices' part. Rehabilitation welfare devices can be more valuable due to nice industrial design, improved materials, and processing technology.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Precision Engineering
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• v.33 no.10
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• pp.837-843
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• 2016

This paper presents a position control strategy for a pump-controlled electro-hydrostatic actuator (EHA) using feedforward control with disturbance compensation. As the disturbance observer is used to estimate nonlinear dynamics of EHA, which has valve-opening conditionals, as well as external disturbances, an additional feedforward control is adopted to achieve rapid response. The effectiveness of the proposed control strategy is verified through experiment using an EHA test bench. The proposed controller shows better tracking performance compared with a conventional PID controller.

• Journal of Institute of Control, Robotics and Systems
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.421-426
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• 2015

Need to develop human body's posture supervised robots, gave the push to researchers to think over dexterous design of exoskeleton robots. It requires to develop quantitative techniques to assess human motor function and generate the command to assist in compliance with complex human motion. Upper limb rehabilitation robots, are one of those robots. These robots are used for the rehabilitation of patients having movement disorder due to spinal or brain injuries. One aspect that must be fulfilled by these robots, is to cope with uncertainties due to different patients, without significantly degrading the performance. In this paper, we propose chattering free sliding mode control technique for this purpose. This control technique is not only able to handle matched uncertainties due to different patients but also for unmatched as well. Using this technique, patients feel active assistance as they deviate from the desired trajectory. Proposed methodology is implemented on seven degrees of freedom (DOF) upper limb rehabilitation robot. In this robot, shoulder and elbow joints are powered by electric motors while rest of the joints are kept passive. Due to these active joints, robot is able to move in sagittal plane only while abduction and adduction motion in shoulder joint is kept passive. Exoskeleton performance is evaluated experimentally by a neurologically intact subjects while varying the mass properties. Results show effectiveness of proposed control methodology for the given scenario even having 20 % uncertain parameters in system modeling.

• The Journal of Korea Robotics Society
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.116-123
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• 2017

Wearable robots are receiving great attention from the public, as well as researchers, because its motivation is to improve the quality of lives of people. Above all, complete paraplegic patients due to spinal cord injury (SCI) might be the most adequate target users of the wearable robots, because they definitely need physical assistance due to the complete loss of muscular strength and sensory functions. Furthermore, the medical care of complete paraplegics by using the wearable robots have significantly reduced the mortality rate and improved the life expectancy. The requirements of the wearable robot for complete paraplegics are actuation torque, locomotion speed, wearing sensation, robust gait stability, safety, and practicality (i.e., size, volume, weight, and energy efficiency). A WalkON Suit is the wearable robot that has satisfied the requirements of the wearable robot for complete paraplegics and participated in the powered exoskeleton race of Cybathlon 2016. In this paper, configuration of the WalkON Suit, human-machine interface, gait pattern, control algorithm, and evaluation results are introduced.

• Proceedings of the KSME Conference
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• 2008.11a
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• pp.1603-1608
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• 2008

Powered robotic exoskeletons are currently under development for assisting or supporting human muscle power. Many applications using this system for the purpose of national defense system, medical support, and construction industry are now frequently introduced. In this paper, we proposed the exoskeletal wearable robotics for construction workers. First, we analyzed general work conditions at the construction site and set up target tasks through the datum. Then dominant muscles’ activity which is related with the defined target tasks was checked up. Herein, wearers’ intent signal generation methodology was introduced in order to effectively activate the proposed system. In the final part of this paper, we evaluated the capability and feasibility of the exoskeletal robotics by the electromyography (EMG) signal variance; demonstrated that robotic exoskeletons controlled by muscle activity could be useful way of assisting with construction workers.

• Journal of rehabilitation welfare engineering & assistive technology
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.73-78
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• 2014

In this paper we propose a wearable elbow rehabilitation robot applied the mirror therapy for elbow rehabilitation. To implement the mirror therapy, a data suit for measuring healthy elbow motion is developed. A powered elbow exoskeleton wearing in paralyzed arm is controlled by the measured data from the healthy elbow motion. In experiments, the elbow rehabilitation exercise by the mirror therapy is performed. From the experimental results we show the wearable exercise robot including the data suit is applicable to the mirror therapy for elbow rehabilitation.