A groundbreaking AI-powered exoskeleton developed by researchers at North Carolina State University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill promises to be a game-changer for individuals with mobility issues.
I showed off a similar technology and got a mountain of messages asking if there was an application for disabled folks. This new exoskeleton could very well be that help.
The wearable technology provides unprecedented energy savings during human movement, making users feel as if they’re carrying 26 pounds less. This results in significant improvements in athletic performance and daily life activities.
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The power of digital twin simulations
The secret behind this revolutionary exoskeleton lies in sophisticated digital twin simulations, where humans and machines coexist, learning and adapting through millions of iterations to perfect physical assistance. The exoskeleton’s AI algorithm, still in development, goes beyond traditional machine learning focused on simulations and games, venturing into a new frontier where technology directly enhances human capabilities.
Credit: NCSU
Credit: NCSU
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Data-driven and physics-informed reinforcement learning
The researchers have embraced data-driven and physics-informed reinforcement learning, an approach that ensures their wearable robots are not just smart but also intuitive, aligning with their mission to improve human mobility and health. This cutting-edge technology maps sensor inputs from the robot to assistive torque without any intermediate steps, enabling end-to-end control.
Credit: NCSU
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Versatile assistance across multiple activities
One of the most remarkable features of this exoskeleton is its ability to generate synergistic assistance across various activities, including walking, running, and stair climbing. The learned controller automatically adapts to each user’s different kinematic patterns, accommodating transitions between activities seamlessly without the need for handcrafted control.
Credit: NCSU
Unprecedented metabolic cost reduction
The experimental results are nothing short of impressive. Among state-of-the-art portable exoskeletons, the exoskeleton achieved the greatest metabolic cost reduction for walking (24.3%), running (13.1%), and stair climbing (15.4%). This remarkable achievement stems from the experiment-free and versatile control approach, which eliminates the need for lengthy human tests and handcrafted rules.
Credit: NCSU
How much will the exoskeleton cost?
We spoke to Hao Su, Ph.D., Associate Professor at North Carolina State University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He is also the Director of Biomechatronics and Intelligent Robotics Lab(BIRO), and he told us,
While the exoskeleton price is about $50,000 to $120,000 due to research and development costs and actuators, our approach can significantly reduce the R&D cost by leveraging our efficient learning-in-simulation framework, which allows for rapid design and testing in computer simulations rather than intensive testing on humans and physical robots. Looking forward, we plan to make our robots truly affordable and accessible through innovative hardware design, namely low-ratio gears and cost-effective but high-torque electric motors. In about one year, we aim to make our exoskeletons for sale at a price range of $1,500 to $4,000, depending on specific features and manufacturing scale.
Kurt’s key takeaways
This AI-powered exoskeleton marks a major advancement in wearable robotics. It offers the rapid development and widespread adoption of assistive robots for both able-bodied and mobility-impaired individuals. This technology has the potential to revolutionize the field of exoskeletons, paving the way for a future where mobility is no longer a barrier and eliminates the hurdles of movement limitations.
What activities or tasks do you struggle with currently that this type of wearable robotic assistance could help make easier or more accessible? Let us know in the comments below.
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3 comments
I have a partner, age 45, who suffers from Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia (aka familial spastic paraparesis or Strumpell-Lorrain syndrome). This is a hereditary neurological disorder. There is too much to this disorder to mention here, but a quick synopsis is that his legs muscles are in almost constant spasms, and he appears drunk to those that don’t know him or understand his disorder. His father, aunt, and uncle all were/are wheelchair bound. He is not yet to that point, but he is deemed disabled and cannot work. He is certain to need the wheelchair before too many more years. He can walk short distances but only very slowly because of balance and foot dragging. Just one example…using a crosswalk. He cannot walk fast enough to get across during the time allotted. He cannot do more than a few steps. Uneven surfaces are his arch-nemesis. He uses his walker at some point each day. He actually needs to use it more, but his pride gets in the way sometimes, and he has fallen many times.
I’m asking you to help me expose his situation to medical or technological professionals that could get him involved in testing of the AI wearable robotic eco-skeleton. I’m not asking you to do the referring, just give me any contact info that you can share.
Like many novel technologies, the applications often gravitate towards use cases that hinder the evolution of commercialization. A practical early use for this technology would be in the hands of home caregivers. They are capable enough to utilize the product, have a vested interest in its enhancement, and can provide valuable feedback for the next phase of application development, focusing on their dependents.
68 YO Complete tear of right quadriceps tendon two years ago. Surgically repaired. Trick knee that results in a backward fall. Swimming three times a week, up to one-half mile in 45 minutes. Much improved stability. Still experiencing fatigue in the right leg after prolonged standing and walking activities.