I-Corps: A New Multi-DOF Reduced-Gravity Simulation Technology for Aerospace and Healthcare Applications

宇航员必须在模拟微重力或失重环境中进行大量的太空行走训练，然后才能在太空中执行任务。目前用于此类训练的技术要么非常昂贵（例如，中性浮力和抛物线飞行技术），要么模拟保真度低（例如，基于电缆的悬挂技术）。因此，航天工业需要低成本、高保真度、安全运行的新型减重力技术来满足未来载人航天探索任务的需要。此外，数百万因受伤、中风或其他疾病而失去行动能力的患者也需要减轻重力模拟技术（作为体重卸载装置）来支持他们的康复，以恢复运动和行动功能。目前用于此类目的的设备要么非常昂贵（例如基于机器人的康复设备），要么限制了太多的机动性（例如基于电缆的悬挂设备）。因此，医疗保健行业需要低成本、灵巧的体重卸载装置来实现更好的康复。本项目旨在加速一种新型的、被动的、灵巧的失重物理模拟技术及其原型装置的商业化进程。开发基于基于spring的被动平衡技术,提出了失重模拟技术和设备可以弥补自己的体重和任何想要百分位(从0%到100%)的重量一个人连接到设备,这样的人,虽然走路或做一些其他的体育锻炼,将生物感觉他或她是在微重力或失重环境,如在一个轨道航天器或月球,火星或另一个星球。该机构的设计考虑了人体四肢和关节的自然多向活动能力，使附着在该装置上的人感到不受限制和舒适。此外，由于该装置在操作中是无源的（即，没有动力或驱动），它本质上是安全的，便宜的，易于维护。对于该设备的用户来说，这些都是吸引人的优势。在拟议的项目结束时，I-Corps团队将清楚地了解市场特定需求，为满足市场/客户需求而提出的新设计要求，以及如何将新技术转化为实际产品的可实施计划。

Astronauts must go through extensive training of their space-walk tasks in a simulated micro- or reduced-gravity environment before they can perform the tasks in space. The currently used technologies for such training are either extremely expensive (e.g., the neutral buoyancy and parabolic flight technologies) or of low simulation fidelity (e.g., the cable-based suspension technology). Therefore, new reduced-gravity technologies of low-cost, high fidelity, and safe operation are needed in space industry to meet the future manned space exploration missions. Additionally, millions of patients who have lost mobility capabilities due to injury, stroke or other diseases also need reduced-gravity simulation technology (as body-weight offloading devices) to support their rehabilitation for restoring locomotion and mobility functions. Currently used devices for such a purpose are either very expensive (such as the robotics-based rehabilitation devices) or of constraining too much mobility (e.g., cable-based suspension devices). Therefore, low-cost and dexterous body-weight offloading devices are needed for better rehabilitation in healthcare industry. This project aims at speeding up the process of commercializing a new, passive and dexterous reduced-gravity physical simulation technology and its prototype device.Developed based on a spring-based passive balancing technique, the proposed reduced-gravity simulation technology and device can compensate its own weight and any desired percentile (from 0% to 100%) of the weight of a person attached to the device, such that the person, while walking or doing some other physical exercises, will biomechanically feel like he or she were in a microgravity or reduced-gravity environment such as in an orbiting spacecraft or on the Moon, Mars or another planet. The design of the mechanism takes into account of the natural multi-directional mobility of human limbs and joints so that a person attached to the device will feel unrestricted and comfortable. Further, since the device is passive in operation (i.e., not powered or actuated), it is intrinsically safe, inexpensive and easy to maintain. These are appealing advantages for the users of the device. At the end of the proposed project, the I-Corps team will have a clear understanding of the market-specific needs, new design requirements for addressing the market/customer needs, and an implementable plan of how to transit the new technology into real products.