• Journal of the Korean Society for Precision Engineering
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• v.32 no.12
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• pp.1065-1072
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• 2015

This paper is about the development of an insole sensor system that can determine the model of an exoskeleton robot for lower limb that is a multi-degree of freedom system. First, the study analyzed the kinematic model of an exoskeleton robot for the lower limb that changes according to the gait phase detection of a human. Based on the ground reaction force (GRF), which is generated when walking, to proceed with insole sensor development, the sensing type, location, and the number of sensors were selected. The center of pressure (COP) of the human foot was understood first, prior to the development of algorithm. Using the COP, an algorithm was developed that is capable of detecting the gait phase with small number of sensors. An experiment at 3 km/h speed was conducted on the developed sensor system to evaluate the developed insole sensor system and the gait phase detection algorithm.

• Journal of Electrical Engineering and Technology
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• v.10 no.6
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• pp.2376-2383
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• 2015

Assistance of the operator’s walking ability while carrying a load is a challenging area in lower limb exoskeletons. We implement an exoskeleton called the Unmanned Technology Research Center Exoskeleton (UTRCEXO), which enables the operator to walk with a load more comfortably. The UTRCEXO makes use of two types of DC motor to assist the hip and knee joints. The UTRCEXO detects the operator’s walking intention including step initiation with insole-type FSRs faster without using any bio-signals and precedes the operator’s step with a reference torque. It not only reduces interaction forces between the operator and the UTRCEXO, but also allows the operator to walk with a load more comfortably. In this paper, we present the UTRCEXO implementing the walking assistance mechanism with interaction force reduction during walking.

• Advances in robotics research
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• v.2 no.3
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• pp.237-245
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• 2018

This study evaluates the efficacy of a class robust control scheme namely active force control in performing a joint based trajectory tracking of an upper limb exoskeleton in rehabilitating the elbow joint. The plant of the exoskeleton system is obtained via system identification method whilst the PD gains were tuned heuristically. The estimated inertial parameter that enables the AFC disturbance rejection effect is attained by means of a non-nature based metaheuristic optimisation technique known as simulated Kalman filter (SKF). It was demonstrated from the present investigation that the proposed PDAFC scheme outperformed the classical PD algorithm in tracking the prescribed trajectory both in the presence and without the presence of disturbance attributed by the mannequin limb weights (1 kg and 1.5 kg) that mimics the weight of actual human limb weight. Therefore, it is apparent from the results obtained from the present study that the proposed control scheme, i.e., PDAFC is suitable for the application of exoskeleton for stroke rehabilitation.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.129-136
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• 2017

The exoskeleton robot is a technology developed to be used in various fields such as military, industry and medical treatment. The exoskeleton robot works by sensing the movement of the wearer. By recognizing the wearer's daily activities, the exoskeleton robot can assist the wearer quickly and efficiently utilize the system. In this study, LDA, QDA, and kNN are used to classify gait types through kinetic data obtained from subjects. Walking was selected from general walking and stair walking which are mainly performed in daily life. Seven IMUs sensors were attached to the subject at the predetermined positions to measure kinematic factors. As a result, LDA was classified as 78.42%, QDA as 86.16%, and kNN as 87.10% ~ 94.49% according to the value of k.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Precision Engineering
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.346-353
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• 2012

The purpose of this study is to verify the energy efficiency of the integrated system combining human and a lower extremity exoskeleton robot when it is applied to the proposed gait pattern. Energy efficient gait pattern of the lower limb was proposed through leg function distribution during stance phase and the dynamic-manipulability ellipsoid (DME). To verify the feasibility and effect of the redefined gait trajectory, simulations and experiments were conducted under the conditions of walking on level ground and ascending and descending from a staircase. Experiments to calculate the metabolic cost of the human body with or without the assistance of the exoskeleton were conducted. The energy consumption of the lower extremity exoskeleton was assessed, with the aim of improving the efficiency of the integrated system.

• Journal of rehabilitation welfare engineering & assistive technology
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.177-185
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• 2014

In this study, the exoskeleton orthosis for the assistance of dorsiflexion torque in ankle joint to prevent foot-drop was developed. It was consist of three part; 1) the power part using artificial pneumatic actuator, 2) wearing part of ankle and knee joints to fix the orthosis, and 3) control part to detect the gait phase using physiological signal. The dorsiflexion torque was generated by the artificial pneumatic actuator connected with wearing part between ankle and knee joint. The accurate timing to assist dorsiflexion torque is made up of physiological signal in foot sole part that detect the gait phase, that is, stance and swing phase in each foot. We conduct the experiment to investigate the effect of exoskeleton orthosis to the 7 elderly people and 10 healthy people. The result showed that the muscular activities in tibialis anterior muscle were reduced because of the assistance of dorsiflexion torque in ankle joint using the exoskeleton orthosis.

• International Journal of Control, Automation, and Systems
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• v.5 no.6
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• pp.681-690
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• 2007

This article presents the kinematic analysis and implementation of an interface and control of two robots-an exoskeleton master robot and a human-like slave robot with two arms. Two robots are designed and built to be used for motion-following tasks. The operator wears the exoskeleton master robot to generate motions, and the slave robot is required to follow after the motion of the master robot. To synchronize the motions of two robots, kinematic analysis is performed to correct the kinematic mismatch between two robots. Hardware implementation of interface and control is done to test motion-following tasks. Experiments are performed to confirm the feasibility of the motion-following tasks by two robots.

• The Journal of Korea Robotics Society
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.162-170
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• 2015

This paper describes the development of a hand module of NREX (National Rehabilitation Center Robotic Exoskeleton) designed to assist individuals with sustained neurological impairments such as stroke and spinal cord injuries. To construct a simple and lightweight hand module, the robotic hand adopts a mechanism driven by a motor and moved by two four-bar linkages. The motor facilitates the flexion-extension movements of the thumb and the other four fingers simultaneously. Thus, an individual using the robotic hand module can effectively grip and release objects related to daily life activities. The robotic hand module has been designed to cover the range of motion with respect to its link distance. This hand module can be used in therapeutic rehabilitation as well as for daily life assistance. In addition, this hand module can either be mounted on an NREX or used as a standalone module.

• Journal of Institute of Control, Robotics and Systems
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.33-38
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• 2007

In this paper, hardware implementation of interface and control between two robots, the master and the slave robot, are designed. The master robot is the motion capturing device that captures motions of the human operator who wears it. The slave robot is the corresponding humanoid robot arms. Captured motions from the master robot are transferred to the slave robot to follow after the master. All hardware designs such as PID controllers, communications between the master robot, encoder counters, and PWM generators are embedded on a single FPGA chip. Experimental studies are conducted to demonstrate the performance of the FPGA controller design.

• Journal of Institute of Control, Robotics and Systems
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• v.22 no.11
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• pp.960-966
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• 2016

This paper proposes a new concept of a soft and wearable upper-limb exoskeleton. A novel actuation principle, called the twisted string actuation principle, is implemented to make it lightweight, soft, and therefore easily wearable. Its power transmission mechanism and harness are designed to be soft and wearable, yet have enough control accuracy for rehabilitation. In addition to force transmission optimization, a speed enlargement mechanism is newly introduced in order to increase the contraction speed of the twisted string actuation mechanism by sacrificing the unnecessarily large gear reduction ratio of the twisted string mechanism. A prototype has been tested for mirroring therapy, and the feasibility of the proposed mechanism has been shown through a sufficiently accurate tracking performance.