A method for obtaining an assist torque to be applied to a human joint, in a human assist
system for applying an assist torque to the human joint to reduce load of muscles, and the human assist
system are provided. The method comprises the step of obtaining a moment due to gravity, acting on a joint of each human segment, based on equations of force and moment balance on each segment. The method further comprises the step of obtaining an assist torque to be applied to the joint to compensate for the moment due to gravity, acting on the joint. The human assist
system comprises a motor for delivering an assist torque to a joint and a motor driver for driving control of the motor. The system further comprises a controller for determining a desired value of an assist torque, comprising a processor and a memory. The controller is configured to obtain a moment due to gravity, acting on a joint of each human segment, based on equations of force and moment balance on each segment and then to obtain an assist torque to be delivered to the joint to compensate for the moment due to
gravitational acceleration at the joint. The method provides a natural
subdivision between the voluntary actuators which are responsible for forward progression of motion and the assist actuators which are responsible for preserving static equilibrium. This
subdivision may mitigate the interference between voluntary control and artificial control.