Wearable Mechatronic Garments for Motion Assistance

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Wearable mechatronic devices are being designed for restoring human ability, enhancing human performance, and as interfaces to intelligent systems. In order to achieve their full potential, research is required to improve their wearability by making them lighter and more responsive to human needs. For this purpose, the proposed research program focuses on solving the engineering challenges associated with the development of wearable mechatronic garments for upper body motion assistance. To address the limitations of the current technology, the short-term objectives of the proposed research are as follows: 1. To design novel actuators. To reduce device weight and bulk, reduce power requirements, and match human motion characteristics, novel actuation technologies, including twisted coiled actuators and piezoelectric actuators will be designed and optimized. 2. To develop advanced data processing techniques. Fusion techniques that combine various modes of sensing and new muscle and brain activity sensing modalities will be implemented. Data processing techniques will be developed to allow sensed data to be used as input to advanced control systems. 3. To design intelligent controllers. Algorithms will be developed that use biosignals as inputs in order to provide supplementary information to the device controller, such as the type of motion, the speed, and the force produced by the muscles. The control system intelligence will be advanced through the use of these extra inputs that will allow it to select the most efficient control scheme for a given condition. 4. To create distributed mechatronic systems. Research into the development of distributed network systems, composed of various mechatronic hubs within a garment, will be performed to maximize device control, reduce weight and intrusiveness, and allow for the customization of modular components. The outcomes of the proposed research over the next 5 years will lead to significant contributions to the field of mechatronic devices that work in close proximity to humans, enabling an expansion of the research field through the development of better actuation systems, sensors, and control systems that automatically respond to humans safely. In the long-term, the proposed research will result in smart mechatronic garments that are capable of constantly monitoring the body and automatically providing motion support, adapted to each user according to body size and shape, strength, the presence of injury, and the desired action. To succeed with the proposed work, equity, diversity and inclusion criteria will be considered when hiring research personnel, when recruiting participants, when analyzing the data, and in the development and translation of the technology. A collaborative approach will be taken to consider the needs of the users and other key stakeholders, including industry partners.