Exoskeletons
History, types, application
Olga Skibina, "Scientific Russia"
One of the directions of technological development in the world is the creation of mechanisms that will replenish the lost functions of the body, increase muscle strength, mobility and speed of a person when walking and running. Such devices are called exoskeletons (from gr. "external skeleton").
The mention of the first technology, which in its design resembled an exoskeleton, dates back to 1890. Inventor Nikolai Ferdinandovich Yagna described the "elastiped" – a mechanism to facilitate the walking of soldiers. It was a system of springs that were attached to the human body and enhanced movement when climbing stairs or jumping. However, a working prototype was not received, so the idea of creating an exoskeleton faded away.
The first working sample of the Hardiman exoskeleton was created in the United States under the Ministry of Defense in the 1960s by General Electric. It was very bulky, weighed 680 kg and lifted the weight up to 110 kg. It was planned that the design would be used underwater, in space, and would be able to carry warheads and nuclear rods with its help. But the project was unsuccessful because it had huge dimensions and a poor control system. All attempts to use the exoskeleton led to uncontrolled movements of the device, so it was never tested with a person inside.
We also tried to work on creating a single arm that could handle a weight of 340 kg. But its weight was twice as much as the load being lifted, so the project was not developed.
Over time, the field of application of the exoskeleton has expanded to medical tasks. For example, in 2017, German researchers demonstrated a 65 kg device that helps paralyzed patients. Sensors are attached to the head, read brain impulses and transmit them to the control center of the exoskeleton, which sets it in motion. The Japanese invention makes life easier for the elderly and allows you to lift up to 25 kg. And American developers have created exoskeletons for children with cerebral palsy, spinal cord injuries, muscular dystrophy and Rett syndrome.
Medical exoskeletons are also offered by Russian manufacturers. For example, ExoAtlet creates devices for the rehabilitation of patients with impaired musculoskeletal system and nervous system of the lower body. The control is carried out using buttons on crutches and signals received through sensors and electromyograms. The mechanism recreates the natural walking of a person and, thanks to an automated system of movements, is not felt on the body, although it weighs about 20 kg.
The Russian Companion exoskeleton is designed for people with injuries to the back, lower limb girdle and recovery of motor activity. Made of high-strength plastic and titanium alloy, weighs 8.5 kg.
According to its characteristics, it can withstand 120 kg, temperatures from minus 30 to plus 50 ° C and is available for people with a height of 2 m. Special tools allow you to adjust the fastenings depending on the width of the pelvis, the length of the thigh and lower leg, a removable battery with active use lasts for three hours. Its functionality includes walking, getting up, climbing stairs and squatting. And with the help of the control panel, you can even choose the length and height of the step. According to the inventors, the exoskeleton is suitable for people with muscular dystrophy, stroke, spinal and traumatic brain injuries, as well as neuromuscular and neurodegenerative diseases.
Another area of application of exoskeletons is industry, emergencies, construction. The Russian development of modular exoskeletons ProEXO belongs to this area. They began to be produced in 2021 in order to avoid injuries at work, where heavy physical work is expected. It protects the musculoskeletal system and takes on most of the load. According to the developers, 30 kg of cargo feels like 15. Its functionality includes more than 11 operations.
There are also three types of Russian exoskeletons for working with heavy weight: X-Soft, X-Rise and X-Arm. X-Soft relieves the load from the back during bends and turns with a load. Weighs about 2 kg. X-Arm is heavier (about 10 kg), equalizes the load weighing up to 40 kg. And X-Rise, weighing about 3 kg, helps the hands not to get tired during prolonged manipulations, when they have to keep them on the weight. These exoskeletons are heat-resistant and do not require additional power sources, because they are charged due to recoil and energy storage.
The device demonstrated by the Japanese belongs to the same direction. This is a KOMA 1.5 power suit, whose manipulator arms help to carry heavy loads both on a smooth and flat surface and with obstacles. In obstacle avoidance mode, the system replaces wheels with two powered legs that mimic human movements while walking, and uses artificial intelligence and built-in cameras to detect foreign objects.
There are many companies that specialize in exoskeletons for working with a heavy load on the hands. For example, Guardian devices shift the load from hands to feet and even allow you to lock a suit with a load on the weight, while continuing to perform other operations with your own hands.
Exoskeletons are used not only in medicine, industry and construction, but also in those areas where you need to walk or run a lot: couriers, postmen, etc. In 2019, Harvard University engineers created an exoskeleton project that reduces energy costs while walking and running by 9.3%. The design consists of parts that are attached to the hips, waist and shoulders. At the back there is a block with electric motors that pull the cables when the leg moves backwards and facilitate the work of the muscles.
A similar device was presented by scientists from Stanford in 2020. As in the Harvard development, a system of cables and electric motors is used. There is a slight difference in the fastening: the exoskeleton is fixed with straps to the shin and with a rope to the shoes. And it also reduces energy costs by 15%.
Developments are ongoing. The most promising application of exoskeletons for medical and industrial purposes. So, one of the tasks is to abandon wheelchairs, minimize injuries in production and reduce harm to the body.
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