Functional Evaluation of a Force Sensor-Controlled Upper-Limb Power-Assisted Exoskeleton with High Backdrivability

Abstract

A power-assisted exoskeleton should be capable of reducing the burden on the wearer’s body or rendering his or her work improved and efficient. More specifically, the exoskeleton should be easy to wear, be simple to use, and provide power assistance without hindering the wearer’s movement. Therefore, it is necessary to evaluate the backdrivability, range of motion, and power-assist capability of such an exoskeleton. This evaluation identifies the pros and cons of the exoskeleton, and it serves as the basis for its subsequent development. In this study, a lightweight upper-limb power-assisted exoskeleton with high backdrivability was developed. Moreover, a motion capture system was adopted to measure and analyze the workspace of the wearer’s upper limb after the exoskeleton was worn. The results were used to evaluate the exoskeleton’s ability to support the wearer’s movement. Furthermore, a small and compact three-axis force sensor was used for power assistance, and the effect of the power assistance was evaluated by means of measuring the wearer’s surface electromyography, force, and joint angle signals. Overall, the study showed that the exoskeleton could achieve power assistance and did not affect the wearer’s movements.