Publication

Gyroscopic assistance for human balance

2012
Conference Papers

Abstract

Falls are an urgent challenge in aging societies, and balance dysfunction is a major risk factor. Current robotic technology that assists human locomotion, however, aims at versatile functionality, particularly in the assistance of weak muscles. Such versatile design leads to heavy, bulky devices that are impractical in daily life for most elderly subjects. In this paper, we investigate the use of minimalistic robotic technology that focuses exclusively on stabilizing human balance during gait. This task-specific device is novel in its combination of portability and simplicity. Our initial simulations show that it is possible to return a person to a vertical position from an engagement angle of 10 degrees from vertical. © 2012 IEEE.

Official source

https://infoscience.epfl.ch/entities/publication/081c8937-00cc-4bcf-ae91-7a117aa14872

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2012
Conference Papers

Abstract

Official source

https://infoscience.epfl.ch/entities/publication/081c8937-00cc-4bcf-ae91-7a117aa14872

About this result

Related concepts (32)

Gait

Gait is the pattern of movement of the limbs of animals, including humans, during locomotion over a solid substrate. Most animals use a variety of gaits, selecting gait based on speed, terrain, the need to maneuver, and energetic efficiency. Different animal species may use different gaits due to differences in anatomy that prevent use of certain gaits, or simply due to evolved innate preferences as a result of habitat differences.

Animal locomotion

Animal locomotion, in ethology, is any of a variety of methods that animals use to move from one place to another. Some modes of locomotion are (initially) self-propelled, e.g., running, swimming, jumping, flying, hopping, soaring and gliding. There are also many animal species that depend on their environment for transportation, a type of mobility called passive locomotion, e.g., sailing (some jellyfish), kiting (spiders), rolling (some beetles and spiders) or riding other animals (phoresis).

Terrestrial locomotion

Terrestrial locomotion has evolved as animals adapted from aquatic to terrestrial environments. Locomotion on land raises different problems than that in water, with reduced friction being replaced by the increased effects of gravity. As viewed from evolutionary taxonomy, there are three basic forms of animal locomotion in the terrestrial environment: legged – moving by using appendages limbless locomotion – moving without legs, primarily using the body itself as a propulsive structure.

Related publications (31)

Gyroscopic assistance for human balance

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