Grant: Engage Grants Program

Evaluation Of Integration Of Novel Modular, Self-Fitting Structure With Exomotion Hip And Ankle JointsWearable exoskeleton robots have the potential to positively improve the function and well-being of personswith spinal cord injury or other lower limb disabilities by enhancing or supporting natural body movements.Human in Motion's Exomotion has developed technology comprised of custom designed, versatile, compact,active three degrees-of-freedom (3 DOF) hip and ankle joints. This Engage project will build knowledge in thearea of exoskeleton innovation by using pressure sensors and a model (to be developed) to determine optimalcriteria for a modular, mass customizable 'orthotic' structure that can be integrated with the Exomotiontechnology.Human in Motion's long-term goal is to create a versatile, cost-effective, robotic system that is flexible, caneasily be taken on and off by the user and adapts to the shape of the body at the critical points where theexoskeleton touches and supports the body. This initial-stage project will use the sensor system and model toevaluate and model various aspects of the integration between the modular, self-fitting structure with thealready developed Exomotion hip and ankle joints, to consider if it meets the initial expectations of a typicalend user. Human in Motion's vision for the future is the evolution of exoskeletons into consumer wearableprojects, which in turn would increase its accessibility and usability of exoskeleton robots not only in Canada,but also in developing nations where the need for low-cost, accessible and easy to use technology is critical.