The future holds promise for seamless collaboration between robots and humans, with exoskeletons – wearable robotic suits – leading the charge by augmenting human strength, endurance, and capabilities. However, crafting effective and safe exoskeletons goes beyond simply having cutting-edge hardware. Simulations play a critical role in optimizing and evaluating these robotic suits before they interact with humans.
![](https://www.pubmanu.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Publication-Package-Services-1.jpg)
Historically, conventional approaches to exoskeleton simulations tend to focus solely on the mechanics of the exoskeleton itself, neglecting the crucial human element. This analogy is similar to choreographing a dance without considering both partners’ input. A novel approach bridges this gap by introducing human-motion-based simulations. These simulations consider the real-time movements of the person wearing the exoskeleton.
Rather than constructing a rigid human model within the simulation, realistic human motion data is imported from a digital human model. This allows the exoskeleton to respond naturally to the user’s movements, mimicking real-life scenarios. Additionally, the physical interaction between the exoskeleton and the human body is incorporated, accurately simulating the forces exerted at the connection points.
This approach offers several advantages:
- Realistic performance: The exoskeleton reacts to natural human motion, resulting in more accurate simulations and better design choices.
- Reduced complexity: Eliminating the need for a complex human model within the simulation saves time and computational resources.
- Optimized design: Simulations enable testing various exoskeleton configurations and support profiles, paving the way for optimal designs tailored to specific tasks and user needs.
The feasibility and accuracy of this human-motion-based simulation were validated through testing with a real shoulder exoskeleton. Simulations were compared to data from a lab study, demonstrating the approach’s effectiveness in replicating real-world interactions.
This novel approach has the potential to revolutionize exoskeleton development by:
- Enhancing safety and effectiveness: Simulation of real-world interactions ensures seamless and safe collaboration between exoskeletons and the human body.
- Accelerating development cycles: Rapid testing and optimization through simulation expedite the design process, bringing exoskeletons to market faster.
- Enabling personalized exoskeletons: The flexibility offered by simulation allows for tailoring exoskeleton designs to individual user needs and preferences.
The future of human-robot collaboration holds immense promise, and our human-motion-based simulation serves as a key step toward realizing this vision. By bridging the gap between humans and exoskeletons in the digital realm, we pave the way for a future where humans and robots work together, achieving feats beyond imagination.