Design and fabrication of a lower limb exoskeleton to assist in stair ascending

Author(s):  
Payman Joudzadeh ◽  
Alireza Hadi ◽  
Bahram Tarvirdizadeh ◽  
Danial Borooghani ◽  
Khalil Alipour

Purpose This paper aims to deal with the development of a novel lower limb exoskeleton to assist disabled people in stair ascending. Design/methodology/approach For this purpose, a novel design of a mixture of motors and cables has been proposed for users to wear them easily and show the application of the system in stair climbing. Findings One of the prominences of this study is the provided robot design where four joints are actuated with only two motors; each motor actuates either the knees or ankles. Another advantage of the designed system is that with motors placed in a backpack, the knee braces can be worn under clothes to be concealed. Finally, the system performance is evaluated using electromyography (EMG) signals showing 28 per cent reduction in energy consumption of related muscles. Originality/value This investigation deals with the development of a novel lower limb exoskeleton to assist disabled people in stair ascending.

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hadef Hefaidh ◽  
Djebabra Mébarek ◽  
Belkhir Negrou ◽  
Zied Driss

PurposeThe reliability prediction is among the most important objectives for achieving overall system performance, and this prediction carried out by anticipating system performance degradation. In this context, the purpose of this research paper is to development of methodology for the photovoltaic (PV) modules' reliability prediction taking into account their future operating context.Design/methodology/approachThe proposed methodology is framed by dependability methods, in this regard, two methods of dysfunctional analysis were used, the Failure Mode and Effects Criticality Analysis (FMECA) method is carried out for identification of the degradation modes, and the Fault Tree Analysis (FTA) method is used for identification the causes of PV modules degradation and the parameters influencing its degradation. Then, based on these parameters, accelerated tests have been used to predict the reliability of PV modules.FindingsThe application of the proposed methodology on PWX 500 PV modules' in different regions of Algeria makes it possible to predict its reliability, taking into account the future constraints on its operation. In this case, the temperature and relative humidity vary from one region to another was chosen as constraints. The results obtained from the different regions confirms the reliability provided by the designer of the Saharan cities Biskra, In Salah, Tamanraset, and affirms this value for the two Mediterranean cities of Oran and Algiers.Originality/valueThe proposed methodology is developed for the reliability prediction of the PV modules taking into account their future operating context and, the choice of different regions confirms or disproves the reliability provided by the designer of the PV modules studied. This application confirms their performance within the framework of the reliability prediction.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Svetoslav Zabunov ◽  
Garo Mardirossian ◽  
Katia Strelnitski

Purpose The current manuscript aims to propose a novel multirotor design. Design/methodology/approach This paper presents a novel 16-rotor multicopter design named Emerald. The novel design innovations and benefits are disclosed. Comparison to existing 16-rotor designs is carried out. Implementation areas where the novel idea shall yield benefit are discussed. A prototype of the presented design is described. Findings The herein proposed 16-rotor design has a number of benefits over existing 16-rotor multicopters. The paper elaborates on those advantages. Research limitations/implications The research was limited to prototype testing, as the presented design is a novel concept. Practical implications The motivation to research and develop this novel design is implementing the vehicle for stereoscopic photography and reconnaissance. The design is also applicable to carrying payloads while flying indoors.


2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 98-111 ◽  
Author(s):  
Svetoslav Zabunov ◽  
Garo Mardirossian

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to disclose a novel reconfiguration battery design suitable for electrically powered UAVs. Design/methodology/approach A design of a reconfigurable battery module is presented. Test setup with prototype battery module is developed and described. Test results of measurements are shown and discussed. Findings The results ascertain the benefits of implementing a reconfigurable battery in small electrically powered UAVs and specifically prove the efficiency of the proposed design. Originality/value The proposed novel design is compared to previous work while advances from the latter and the gained advantages were established.


2015 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 5-7

Purpose – Describes how a home-improvement company that seeks to “rewrite the rule book in its sector” has opened a dedicated training center whose design replicates customers’ homes where most of its sales take place. Design/methodology/approach – Explains the reasons for the Everest Training Academy, the form it takes and the results it is helping to achieve. Findings – Reveals that the idea behind the training academy is to help the company’s sales people to feel comfortable about selling in people’s homes and to showcase other products than simply windows and doors. Practical implications – Explains that the academy is designed to ensure that staff are respected for their knowledge and professionalism, and feel good about themselves and the position they hold at Everest. Originality/value – Describes a novel design of training academy.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Babak Abedin

PurposeResearch into the interpretability and explainability of data analytics and artificial intelligence (AI) systems is on the rise. However, most recent studies either solely promote the benefits of explainability or criticize it due to its counterproductive effects. This study addresses this polarized space and aims to identify opposing effects of the explainability of AI and the tensions between them and propose how to manage this tension to optimize AI system performance and trustworthiness.Design/methodology/approachThe author systematically reviews the literature and synthesizes it using a contingency theory lens to develop a framework for managing the opposing effects of AI explainability.FindingsThe author finds five opposing effects of explainability: comprehensibility, conduct, confidentiality, completeness and confidence in AI (5Cs). The author also proposes six perspectives on managing the tensions between the 5Cs: pragmatism in explanation, contextualization of the explanation, cohabitation of human agency and AI agency, metrics and standardization, regulatory and ethical principles, and other emerging solutions (i.e. AI enveloping, blockchain and AI fuzzy systems).Research limitations/implicationsAs in other systematic literature review studies, the results are limited by the content of the selected papers.Practical implicationsThe findings show how AI owners and developers can manage tensions between profitability, prediction accuracy and system performance via visibility, accountability and maintaining the “social goodness” of AI. The results guide practitioners in developing metrics and standards for AI explainability, with the context of AI operation as the focus.Originality/valueThis study addresses polarized beliefs amongst scholars and practitioners about the benefits of AI explainability versus its counterproductive effects. It poses that there is no single best way to maximize AI explainability. Instead, the co-existence of enabling and constraining effects must be managed.


Author(s):  
Jian Li ◽  
Diansheng Chen ◽  
Chunjing Tao ◽  
Hui Li

Purpose Many studies have shown that rehabilitation robots are crucial for lower limb dysfunction, but application of many robotics have yet to be seen to actual use in China. This study aimed to improve a lower limb rehabilitation robot by details improving and practical design. Design/methodology/approach Structures and control system of a lower limb rehabilitation robot are improved in detail, including joint calculations, comfort analysis and feedback logic creation, and prototype experiments on healthy individuals and patients are conducted in a hospital. Findings All participating subjects did not experience any problems. The experiment shows detail improving is reasonable, and feasibility of the robot was confirmed, which has potential for overcoming difficulties and problems in practical application. Research limitations/implications Therapeutic effects need to be evaluated in the future. Also, more details should be improved continuously based on the actual demand. Originality/value The improved robot could assist the lower limb during standing or walking, which has significance for practical application and patients in China.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yanzhang Yao ◽  
Wei Wang ◽  
Yue Qiao ◽  
Zhihang He ◽  
Fusheng Liu ◽  
...  

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to describe the design and development of a novel series-parallel robot, which aims to climb on the transmission tower. Design methodology approach This study introduces a hybrid robot, which consists of adsorption and two 3-degree of freedom (DOF) translation parallel legs connected by a body linkage. The DOF of the legs ensures that the robot can move on the climbing plane, also contribute to a compact design of the robot. An electromagnet is used to adsorb onto the transmission tower, simplifying the overall structure. Based on the robot design, this paper further defines its climbing gait and adopt the 6th B-spline curves for climbing trajectory planning under different working environments. Findings The developed prototype that implements the design of the robot, which was used in simulation and experiments, showing that the robot is capable of climbing in the test environments with the planned climbing gait. Originality value The hybrid robot is able to climb under varying degrees of inclinations and cross the obstacles, and the magnetic attraction can ensure stable climbing.


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