• Proceedings of the KIEE Conference
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• 1996.07b
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• pp.1228-1230
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• 1996

A neural network(NN) mechanism is proposed to modify the gait of a biped robot that walks on sloping surface using sensory inputs. The robot starts walking on a surface with no priori knowledge of the inclination of the surface. By accumulating experience during walking, the robot improves its walking gait and finally forms a gait that is adapted to the surface inclination. A neural controller is proposed to control the gait which has 72 reciprocally inhibited and excited neurons. PI control is used for position control, and the neurons are trained by a reinforcement learning mechanism. Experiments of static gait learning and pseudo dynamic learning are performed to show the validity of the proposed reinforcement learning mechanism.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.443-449
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• 2022

Purpose: This study aims to identify the differences in the muscle activity of the ankle joint muscle depending on the type of footwear (sneakers, mule sneakers, slippers) worn while walking on a slope. Methods: The subjects wore each shoe (sneakers, mule sneakers, and slippers) and walked on an 18-degree slope at a speed of 110 beats/min. While walking, the muscle activities of the tibialis anterior and medial gastrocnemius were measured. Of the three walking cycles, the second walking cycle was measured except for the first and third walking cycles, which are the beginning and end, and a three-minute break was taken to prevent muscle fatigue when the type of footwear was changed. Results: When walking on a slope, there was no significant difference in the muscle activity of the tibialis anterior according to the type of footwear. However, when walking on a slope, the difference in muscle medial gastrocnemius muscle activity was significant between sneakers and mule sneakers. There was also a significant difference between sneakers and slippers, but there was no significant difference between slippers and mule sneakers. Conclusion: There was no significant statistical difference between sneakers and mule sneakers, but there was a numerical difference. Therefore, the presence or absence of the shoe collar may affect the muscle activity of the medial gastrocnemius when walking on a slope. This can lead to patellofemoral pain syndrome caused by the excessive use of the quadriceps, so it must be considered that caution is needed.

• Proceedings of the KSME Conference
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• 2008.11a
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• pp.1505-1508
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• 2008

One of the important functions of prosthetic foot is the foot inversion-eversion which is so important when walking on uneven surfaces. The aim of our study was to evaluate the effect of foot eversion angle especially on knee and ankle joint for transtibial amputees by motion analysis. The experimental data were collected from three transtibial amputees and then ten healthy individuals. To simulate walking on side sloping ground, we used custom-made slope (5, 10, 15 degrees). Motion analysis was performed by 3-dimensional motion analyzer for 6 dynamic prosthetic feet. The results showed that knee abduction moments of amputated leg were decreased but those of sound leg were mainly increased as foot eversion angle increased. And ankle abduction moments of sound leg were inconsistent in magnitude and tendency between control and experimental group. Therefore foot eversioncharacteristics should be considered to develop advanced prosthetic foot.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.33 no.9
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• pp.886-891
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• 2009

One of the important functions of prosthetic foot is the foot inversion-eversion which is so important when walking on uneven surfaces. The aim of our study was to evaluate the effect of foot eversion angle especially on knee and ankle joint for transtibial amputees by motion analysis. The experimental data were collected from three transtibial amputees and then ten healthy individuals. To simulate walking on side sloping ground, we used custom-made slope (5, 10, 15 degrees). Motion analysis was performed by 3-dimensional motion analyzer for 6 dynamic prosthetic feet. The results showed that knee abduction moments of amputated leg were decreased but those of sound leg were mainly increased as foot eversion angle increased. And ankle abduction moments of sound leg were inconsistent in magnitude and tendency between control and experimental group. Therefore foot eversioncharacteristics should be considered to develop advanced prosthetic foot.

• Proceedings of the KIEE Conference
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• 2004.11c
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• pp.586-588
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• 2004

Although stable control algorithm has been implemented to the biped robot, the stability is not guaranteed because of encoder errors and/or rigid body elastics. Hence precise body pose estimation is required for more natural and long term walk. Specially pelvis sloping by gravity or uneven ground on landing place are most critical reason for undulated motion. In order to overcome these difficulties an estimation system for foot position and orientation using PSD sensors and Gyro sensors is proposed along with calibration algorithm and experimental verification.

• Proceedings of the KSME Conference
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• 2007.05a
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• pp.843-848
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• 2007

Quadruped robot is very useful mechanism for a various area. Recently, home entertainment and military robots adapted quadruped platform and useful function have been introduced. Our goal is the development of quadruped robot locomotion for any type of ground included to sloping one and irregular terrain. This paper, as a first step, deals with design and construction of quadruped robot walking on the flat ground. The most important factor of quadruped robot is stability of locomotion. At first, we introduce the developed quadruped robot based on dynamic simulation and experimental study of general gait algorithm. Finally, propose unique locomotion proper to our mechanism. Future work of this study is the performance test and analysis on the ground of various conditions and proposes the improved mechanism and gait algorithm.