Host: The Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers
Name : [in Japanese]
Date : June 05, 2019 - June 08, 2019
The gait ability of the elderly decreases and the risk of fall increases. Thus, we developed wearable assist devices which improved dorsal flexion and minimum foot clearance (MFC) of the elderly. This device uses upper body muscle as a power source instead of an actuator. Attached strings transfer muscle power from the upper body to foot for assisting walking. To improve the efficiency of assist pattern, string paths were optimized through joint torque simulation. This simulator made three optimal paths which apply dorsal flexion torque. As a result of walking experiments, one of three optimal paths improved elderly MFC.
