Engineering news
Engineers at Harvard University are to partner with exoskeleton company ReWalk to further develop a wearable, soft “exosuit” for people with lower limb disabilities.
It is hoped the partnership will accelerate development of assistive exosuits for patients suffering from stroke and multiple sclerosis (MS) and enable them to regain mobility.
Most available exoskeletons are rigid systems which provide structural support and assistance to patients with extremely severe movement disabilities, for example because of spinal cord injuries. For many stroke, MS, and elderly patients who can move partially on their own, the assistive and elegant movements of a lighter weight, flexible, soft exosuit could be used to overcome mobility limitations in their lower extremities.
According to the Wyss Institute, the soft wearable robot is the first of its kind and has required several prototypes. The exosuit uses functional form-fitting textiles and compact, powerful actuators in a belt to provide assistance to the wearer’s legs. Control systems have been developed that integrate the suit and its wearer in ways that mimic the natural biomechanics of the human musculoskeletal system to enhance movement
Conor Walsh, a faculty member of the Wyss Institute, said: "ReWalk brings commercialisation expertise and experience in the area of wearable robotics and complements our translation-focused research. Ultimately this agreement paves the way for this technology to make its way to patients."
Larry Jasinski, chief executive of ReWalk, said: "This collaboration will help create the next generation of exoskeleton systems, making life-changing technology available to millions of consumers across a host of patient populations.”
The development of the technology has involved roboticists, mechanical and biomechanical engineers, apparel designers, and software engineers.
The collaboration with ReWalk includes a license for intellectual property and funding for the continued development at the Institute, to help bringing the wearable therapeutic device to the marketplace.