Page 336 - Handbook of Electronic Assistive Technology
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Chapter 11 • Robotics 325
FIGURE 11-7 REX robotic exoskeleton�
10
EKSO EXOSKELETON Ekso is a wearable lower extremity robotic exoskeleton designed
for the assistance and rehabilitation of patients with various levels of lower extremity
weakness. The system has 3 DOFs in each leg with active hip and knee joints and passive
ankle joints. Both legs are connected to a torso structure containing the computer and
batteries.
The torso is aligned to the user’s lower back, and the exoskeleton legs are fastened to
the user’s legs by hook-and-loop fastener straps that align the user’s lower back and joints
with those of the device. Two additional straps are tightened over the user’s shoulders to
help support the torso structure.
The device has powered (bilateral) hip and knee joints and passive (spring) ankle joint
movements in the sagittal plane. Currently, Ekso has four walk modes enabling either
user or therapist to actuate movements using a push button or gait intention detection
by detecting forward and lateral movement of the user’s hips (for weight shifting) or the
user’s weight shift and intention of forward leg movement.
10 Ekso Bionics, Richmond, CA, USA: http://eksobionics.com/.
