Almost one and a half times faster

New exoskeleton for the elderly seriously increases walking speed

Georgy Golovanov, Hi-tech+

The inability to maintain a high pace of walking is a common problem in old age. The prototype exoskeleton, developed by Stanford engineers, is attached to the lower leg and, thanks to motors and an algorithm, increases the speed of movement by about 40% compared to the usual one.

The exoskeleton consists of a frame that is attached under the knee and on the shoe. The motor and cables running along the entire length of the exoskeleton are controlled by an algorithm. All this harness helps to lift the heel and guide the toes down, pushing off the ground.

Engineers have tested five different models of the exoskeleton, says Stanford News. The subjects were asked to walk in normal shoes, with the exoskeleton turned off and on, in three modes: high-speed, economical and slow. All tests were conducted on a treadmill that adapts to the speed of movement.

You can watch videos with subjects without an exoskeleton and in different modes of its operation here – VM.

The speed mode of the exoskeleton showed a maximum increase in walking speed – 42%. "We were hoping that with the help of an exoskeleton we could increase walking speed, but we were amazed to find out how much," said Professor Steve Collins from Stanford University. –Forty percent is a lot."

The developers did not seek to evaluate other characteristics of the device, such as comfort or load, but seven out of ten participants not only walked faster, but also consumed less energy. Engineers will try to make the next versions of the exoskeleton more comfortable and lightweight. In addition, they are going to work on improving balance when walking and reducing the load on the joints, which is especially important for the elderly.

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