Foundation of Soft Robotic Assistive Technologies for Supporting Voluntary Postural Transitions

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 26289058
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)
• Allocation Type: Partial Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Intelligent mechanics/Mechanical systems
• Research Institution: University of Tsukuba
• Principal Investigator: SUZUKI Kenji 筑波大学, システム情報系, 教授 (30350474)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 江口 清 筑波大学, 医学医療系, 准教授 (00213538)
• Project Period (FY): 2014-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: 装着型ロボット / ソフトロボット / 人支援ロボット / ロボット支援機器 / リハビリテーション支援機器 / 脊椎・脊髄疾患 / 脳性麻痺

Outline of Final Research Achievements

A novel approach of soft robotic assistive technologies for supporting voluntary postural transitions was investigated. In this study, we developed several robotic devices such as a standing mobility vehicle and full-body soft robot suit. The developed mobility vehicle with a passive exoskeleton without using any electrical actuators can assist the user's voluntary postural changing: sitting to standing solely with a passive mechanism. We also investigated a novel approach for supporting an infant’s body posture change between lying and sitting by using a wearable soft robotic device. To assist the dominant joint motions, a novel pneumatic accordion actuator is proposed. Possible application to support the postural change of children with cerebral palsy is also discussed. We consider that developing an integrated robotic system with rigid, soft, and flexible mechanisms provide the appropriate solution for the future wearable robots.

Free Research Field

人支援ロボティクス