An actuator-damper unit for use in orthotic or prosthetic devices. The actuator-damper unit includes a housing which may be fastened on the orthotic or prosthetic device and in which a cylinder is formed. A first piston is displaceably mounted in the cylinder and is coupled to a piston rod. The piston rod is disposed, via a first end, on the first piston and may be coupled, via a second end, to the orthotic or prosthetic device. The first piston separates two fluid chambers in the cylinder from each other and forms a piston-cylinder unit, wherein at least one further piston is coupled to the first piston in order to form at least one further, variable-volume fluid chamber.

Exosuits that use core grip members are described herein. Core grip members apply forces in a radially inward manner from the exterior of the body to the interior of the body to provide support to the user and to serve as a platform for mounting power layer segments.

A bilateral teleoperation system includes: a primary-end operation platform and a secondary-end operation platform. The primary-end operation platform includes: a primary-end support, primary-end mechanical arms, a mechanical hand control assembly, and a first controller, a root end of the primary-end mechanical arm being arranged on the primary-end support, and a tail end of the primary-end mechanical arm being connected to the mechanical hand control assembly. The secondary-end operation platform includes: a secondary-end support, secondary-end mechanical arms, secondary-end mechanical hands, and a second controller, a root end of the secondary-end mechanical arm being arranged on the secondary-end support, and a tail end of the secondary-end mechanical arm being connected to the secondary-end mechanical hand; the primary-end mechanical arm and the secondary-end mechanical arm are homogeneous mechanical arms, and the first controller in the primary-end operation platform is communicatively connected to the second controller in the secondary-end operation platform.

An exoskeleton wear management method is provided. The method includes receiving inertial data from a sensing system; determining whether a left leg component of an exoskeleton device is parallel to a left leg of a user and a right leg component of the exoskeleton device is parallel to a right leg of the user according to the received inertial data; in response to determining that the left leg component/the right leg component is not parallel to the left leg/the right leg of the user, prompting an adjusting left leg component message/an adjusting right leg component message; and in response to determining that the left leg component is parallel to the left leg of the user and the right leg component is parallel to the right leg of the user, prompting a left leg component and right leg component correctly-worn message.

A joint device with an upper part and a lower part which are mounted on each other so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis, a hydraulic unit secured on the upper part and the lower part, and a housing in which a cylinder is arranged. A working piston is arranged in the cylinder and is coupled to at least one spring mechanism which transmits tensile forces and compressive forces and which engages on at least one abutment arranged displaceably inside the cylinder.

Air microfluidics and minifluidics enabled active compression apparel enhances mobility and quality of life for individuals by minimizing risks of injuries, enhancing rehabilitation, and maximizing comfort. Balloon actuators, integrated with a garment, provide active compression and augmenting forces to anatomical portions of the human body. The balloon actuators are actuated by fluidic pressurization hardware. The air microfluidics and minifluidics system miniaturizes fluidic pressurization hardware and makes it wearable, ultra lightweight, and ultra formfitting. The air microfluidics and minifluidics system includes micro and mini channels of various lengths, cross-sectional areas, and functions via principles of equivalent hydraulic resistance allowing for fluidic transportation, passive delay in pressurization of the balloon actuators, and digital soft fluidic actuation where the compression force is based on the number of inflated balloon actuators instead of their pressure.

A wearable exoskeleton comprises a back frame set and a lower limb link rod set. The back frame set comprises a sliding rod and an object seat. The object seat is coupled to the sliding rod and configured for carrying object. One end of the lower limb link rod set is coupled to the object seat. The back frame set is worn on the back of the user. The lower limb link rod set is worn on the lower limb of the user for responding to the flexing or erecting movements of the user's lower limb. When the other end of the lower limb link rod set contacts the ground with the action of the lower limb, the ground provides an upward reaction force, and the reaction force is transmitted to the object seat through the lower limb link rod set to push up the object.

An ankle exoskeleton device is provided having a lower leg anchor, a foot/ankle anchor, a first actuator and a second actuator. The first actuator includes an upper end disposed at a first anchor point on the right side of the foot/ankle anchor and a lower end disposed at a second anchor point on the right side of the lower leg anchor. The first actuator includes a first biasing mean having a neutral position when the ankle is in a neutral position. The first biasing means provides for compression loading due to ground reaction forces on the foot/ankle anchor to provide a cushioning effect on the ankle as the being takes a step. The second actuator provides for substantially the same elements on the left side of the foot/ankle anchor and the lower leg anchor.

Waveguides, such as light guides, made entirely of elastomeric material or with indents on an outer surface are disclosed. These improved waveguides can be used in sensors, soft robotics, or displays. For example, the waveguides can be used in a strain sensor, a curvature sensor, or a force sensor. In an instance, the waveguide can be used in a hand prosthetic. Sensors that use the disclosed waveguides and methods of manufacturing waveguides also are disclosed.

A flexible wearable robot for assisting with a walking motion of a user may include a thigh strap to be worn to enclose a thigh portion of a user, a shank strap to be worn to enclose a shank portion of the user, a driver to be worn on a back or waist portion of the user to provide a driving force for assisting with a walking motion of the user, a first driving wire with one end connected to the thigh strap and the other end connected to the driver to receive tension, a second driving wire with one end connected to the shank strap and the other end connected to the driver to receive tension, and a controller to control a drive of the driver to selectively apply tension to at least one of the first driving wire and the second driving wire.