Design Summary_Analysis Final
In the web article, “Where’s my supersuit?” Zelik (2019) focuses on the understanding and
benefits of implementing exoskeletons around the world, which includes “to keep
the workers safe and reduce the fatigue of physically demanding jobs.” Zelik is interested to see how exoskeleton can be commonly used in
public just like smartphones instead of being in the research lab. The article states that the pioneer badge of exoskeleton approved by the U.S Food
and Drug Administration (FDA) has been used to assist worker’s safety aspect and
physical aspect. The article
provides in-depth information on how exoskeleton could help solve complex low back
pain issues, support ankle muscles, prevent neck fatigue, provide motorised
assistance and also teach proper lifting techniques. Zelik hopes that
the exoskeleton will be commonly used for individual and social benefits.
Exoskeleton suit is very beneficial such that it helps to reduce arm fatigues and provide
great assistance to individuals recovering from stroke.
One of the
benefits of exoskeleton suit is it helps to reduce arm fatigue. Looze et al. (2015) stated that “Muscle suits” have been designed
and utilised to help manual workers who have Work-related Musculoskeletal
Disorder (WMSDs). According to the article, the suit covers the thighs,
trunk and upper body parts that consist of the three joints which are the
waist, shoulder and elbow. A mechanism of 4 degrees of freedom is designed to
allow three orthogonal axes of rotation and transversal sliding centre of
rotation. The suit helps to support the flexion of the shoulder, elbow, and trunk in
the longitudinal plane. Zelik also shows that the suit has a positive
effect for muscles in the upper body such that it reduces the muscle activity
for dynamic lifting in the range of "20–35%" and holding a weight
above the head in the range of "30–70%". The results shown in the
article shows that "Muscle suits" have great benefit in reducing the physical load on the shoulder and arms for work activities such as dynamic
lifting and carrying.
Another benefit
of the exoskeleton suit is it provides great assistance to individuals recovering
from stroke. Iqbal and Baizid (2015) stated that robot-assisted
therapies have great benefits in terms of “accuracy, precision and
repeatability.” Based on the article, the idea of having robot-assisted
therapies can create rehabilitation exercises to become more engaging and they would
replace manual therapies in the years to come. The article also stated that the clinical
results obtained from stroke patients with the aid of robot-assisted therapies
are positive. Exoskeleton can not only assist physiotherapists but also provide
great assistance to people suffering from stroke to perform normal day to day
routine and make it easier for physiologists to understand the work of the
human body. As with Zelik, Iqbal and Baizid, they also stated that exoskeleton faces
feasibility problems. For example, actuators can affect the ergonomic structure
of the exoskeleton as the bulky structure may be harmful to the “tissues of
wearer’s hand” and most existing exoskeleton have limited design specification because
of mechatronics limitation.
In conclusion,
there is still room for improvement for exoskeleton as the benefits weigh more
than the challenges. In years to come, the advancement of technology will
definitely help solve the exoskeleton development issues and eventually make
exoskeleton be commonly used.
References:
Iqbal, J. I. A. K.,
& Baizid, K. (n.d.). Stroke rehabilitation using exoskeleton- | Biomedical
Research. Retrieved March 22, 2020, from https://www.biomedres.info/biomedical-research/stroke-rehabilitation-using-exoskeletonbased-robotic-exercisersmini-review.html
Looze et al. (2015, October 7). Exoskeletons for
industrial application and their potential effects on physical work load.
Zelik,
K. (2019, April 24). It’s 2019 – where’s my supersuit? Retrieved from https://theconversation.com/its-2019-wheres-my-supersuit-115679
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