Canadian exoskeleton promises to help people walk longer without getting tired

Researchers at Queen’s University in Canada have created an exoskeleton capable of improving the efficiency of human walking. The device, which can be carried in a backpack, allows users to travel much greater distances using less energy.

The prototype developed by scientists removes the energy expended during a certain phase of the walking cycle and reduces the metabolic cost that a person would have while walking, reducing fatigue and improving the permanence of the individual at the same level of speed during walking. most of the way. .

“Taking energy from a person’s legs while walking may seem counterintuitive, like pulling the brake of a moving car, but our muscles naturally take energy out of it when we walk, and our device does it. helps do it more efficiently, ”says the study’s author. , Professor Michael Shepertycky.

walking is necessary

The new device weighs a little over a pound and does not interfere with user performance during long distance walks. Unlike other exoskeletons which add energy or transfer force from one phase of the gait cycle to another, this piece of equipment draws energy from the muscles of the knee during a known critical moment of gait. under the name of terminal balancing phase.

By reusing accumulated energy, the exoskeleton allows people to walk longer distances, avoiding situations of fatigue and muscle pain caused by excessively strenuous physical activity, such as walking over rough and rugged terrain.

“Improving energy savings when walking and running has been a major research topic over the past two decades. Walking is a delicate and highly optimized process, which makes it difficult to use exoskeletons. to improve the efficiency of walking, “says mechanical engineering professor Qingguo Li.

More than a little help

In addition to providing more efficient walking, the exoskeleton is able to convert the energy withdrawn from muscles into electricity, which can be used to power the device itself or to power portable equipment.

“This energy harvesting capability can be particularly useful for people traveling on foot to remote and hard-to-reach places, allowing them to charge cell phones or GPS devices without having to carry large amounts of batteries while traveling. “, explains the professor. of electrical engineering Yan-Fei Liu.

By functioning as a portable power “generator”, the exoskeleton can become essential equipment for long-range land missions, which motor vehicles cannot penetrate and sources of electricity are scarce. In addition, the device could also be useful in assisting professionals who have to stand or travel long distances during work shifts, such as doctors, police and letter carriers.

“For the first time, we have shown that suppressing energy can increase the efficiency of walking. This is a significant advance in the field of exoskeleton development, with the potential to change the way we create equipment that helps our ability to walk, ”adds Professor Shepherdycky.

Source: Queen’s University