Powered Exosuit Transition Detection for Safer Activity Changes
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing exosuits lack effective systems for detecting and responding to activity transitions, leading to inadequate assistance or potential injury during changes in user activities.
Innovation Solution
A control system for powered exosuits that includes activity and transition detection models, utilizing machine learning algorithms to analyze sensor data and adjust operations accordingly, such as changing control programs or applying assistive forces to facilitate smooth transitions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the exosuit uses a simple control system without activity transition detection, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability and safety during activity transitions deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The control system performs preliminary detection of activity transitions using sensor data before the actual transition occurs. The activity detection model analyzes sensor inputs to predict upcoming transitions (e.g., sitting to standing, walking to running) and prepares the exosuit control program in advance, ensuring safety without requiring complex real-time intervention during the transition itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors sensor data from the exosuit and wearer to provide feedback to the activity detection model. This feedback loop enables the system to detect changes in activity state and adjust control parameters dynamically, improving reliability during transitions while maintaining a manageable level of system complexity through adaptive control.
2Measurement precision
If the exosuit implements activity transition detection and response, then the assistance accuracy during transitions is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is segmented into distinct functional modules: sensor data acquisition, activity detection model, transition detection model, and control program selection. Each module performs a specific function, allowing the system to achieve high detection accuracy through specialized processing while keeping overall system complexity manageable through modular architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The activity detection model serves as an intermediary between raw sensor data and the control system. It processes and interprets sensor inputs to generate activity state information, which then guides control program selection. This intermediary layer improves detection accuracy while shielding the control system from the complexity of raw sensor processing.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the exosuit changes control programs in response to detected transitions, then the adaptability to different activities is improved, but the response time and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection and classification of activity transitions using trained detection models. By identifying transition patterns early in the transition process, the system can prepare and switch control programs in advance, reducing actual response time while maintaining high adaptability to different activity types.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system adjusts operational parameters such as assistive force levels, joint torque profiles, and actuator commands based on detected activity transitions. By changing these parameters dynamically, the exosuit adapts to different activities efficiently without requiring complete control program reconfiguration, thereby reducing response time while maintaining versatility.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for an exosuit activity transition control structure. In some implementations, sensor data for a powered exosuit is received. The sensor data is classified depending on whether the sensor data is indicative of a transition between different types of activities of a wearer of the powered exosuit. The classification is provided to a control system for the powered exosuit. The powered exosuit is controlled based on the classification.