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Walking Assist Exoskeleton Robot

Introduction of ITRI-Exoskeleton Robot

I participated in developing ITRI-Exoskeleton Robot team in 2013, when I am in the second year of my master degree and they just beginning their research. Since they cooperated with our lab(Orthopaedic Engineering and Movement Analysis Lab), helping them with exoskeleton robot motion analysis. My contribution to the project included protocol development, clinical test, simulation and analysis parts. 

I joined service robot department of Industrial Technology Research Institute(ITRI) continue to develop exoskeleton robot after I graduated from the master degree. I mainly focus on gait analysis and clinical research of exoskeleton robot aim to create the database of exoskeleton gait model and quantitative indicators to improve exoskeleton robot gait pattern.

Introduction​

This project started from a question: Can paraplegic stand up and walk again by modern technology? Most of them relied on wheelchairs for their mobility but still unable to conquer many challenges. On the other hand, imagine that if they have the ability to stand up and walk again, they can accompany their family to the department store for shopping and the most important that they have the horizontal eye level with others. Thus, we take over the task of developing exoskeleton robot founded by Ministry of Economic Affairs to accomplish the hope of physically challenged people.

Our Goals

  • Minimize energy consuming during walking and transiting from standing to sitting or vice versa. 

  • Increasing the movement and loading capability of their lower limbs.

  • Improving self-independent ability and their social participation.

Research and Design History

First year (2013 - 2014)

  1. Built the prototype of the exoskeleton robot.

  2. Developed functional movement(walk, sit-to-stand, and stand-to-sit).

  3. Focus on the clinical study to collect user's feedback us the database of improvement.

In the following four years (2014 - 2017)

  1. Invented second-generation exoskeleton robot(Fig. 1) with lightweight technology and friendly design.

  2. Improved stability during walking by redesign the ankle joint.

  3. Implement remote control for user easier select their mode of motion.

  4. Developed safety mechanism to prevent user be in danger.

  5. Extended clinical research into hospital and rehabilitation in different countries. 

Figure 1. Comparison between first and second generation of ITRI-Exoskeleton Robot

Important Events

2016 R&D 100 AWARD

2016 Inspection from Taiwan President Ing-Wen Tsai

Photo by Tsung-Chi Lin

Photo by Tsung-Chi Lin

Photo by Tsung-Chi Lin

2016 Participated in Assistive Technology for Care and Health Exhibition

Photo by Tsung-Chi Lin

Photo by Tsung-Chi Lin

2015 Inspection from Taiwan President Ying-Jeou Ma

Photo by Tsung-Chi Lin

2015 Participated in Taiwan Automation Intelligence and Robot Show.

Photo by Tsung-Chi Lin

Photo by Tsung-Chi Lin

Photo by Tsung-Chi Lin

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