Mobility Assistance Control for Automated User Assessment and Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mobility assistance devices, such as exoskeletons, lack comprehensive and user-friendly control systems that can perform automated assessments and adjustments to enhance user performance and physical capability, relying primarily on compensating for impairments rather than optimizing user recovery and independence.
Innovation Solution
The development of control systems that leverage device sensors, actuators, and interfaces to perform automated assessments and adjustments, allowing the mobility assistance device to assess user impairment and adjust its operation to improve recovery and physical capability, reducing the need for specialized equipment and personnel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional assessment methods (MMT, 10MWT) are used, then user performance can be evaluated, but specialized equipment and personnel are required, increasing device complexity and reducing ease of operation
Solution Approach 1:
The mobility assistance device is designed to perform multiple functions: it provides mobility assistance while simultaneously conducting automated assessments of user performance. The device integrates sensors, actuators, and control systems that enable it to function both as a support device and as an assessment tool, eliminating the need for separate specialized equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The device performs self-assessment by automatically evaluating the user's performance through integrated sensors and control systems. The control system autonomously processes sensor data to assess muscle strength, joint range of motion, and overall mobility performance without requiring external personnel or additional equipment.
2Ease of operation
If manual assessment and adjustment procedures are used, then device operation can be controlled, but user independence is reduced and time consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system continuously receives feedback from sensors monitoring user performance and automatically adjusts device operation parameters in real-time. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables the device to adapt to user needs dynamically without requiring manual intervention, reducing both time consumption and increasing user independence.
Solution Approach 2:
The device performs preliminary assessments automatically before requiring user action, and makes preliminary adjustments based on assessed performance levels. This allows the device to be pre-configured optimally for each user, reducing the time needed for manual setup and adjustment during operation.
3Reliability
If the device only compensates for impairments, then basic mobility support is provided, but user recovery optimization and independence enhancement are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The device transitions from static impairment compensation to dynamic performance optimization. The control system continuously adapts device operation based on real-time assessment of user performance, automatically adjusting assistance levels to optimize both reliability of mobility support and adaptability to user recovery progress.
Solution Approach 2:
The device automatically changes operational parameters such as actuator force, joint resistance, and assistance timing based on assessed user performance metrics. These parameter adjustments enable the device to optimize mobility support reliability while simultaneously enhancing adaptability to individual user recovery trajectories.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of controlling a mobility device and related device including at least one actuator component that drives at least one joint component is described. The control method may include executing a control application with an electronic controller to perform: receiving a command in the control system of the mobility device for initiating an automated assessment and adjustment protocol; controlling one or more mobility device components to perform the automated assessment; electronically gathering user performance data associated with the automated assessment and determining user performance metrics; and electronically controlling one or more of the mobility device components in accordance with the performance metrics. The automated assessment includes controlling mobility device components to perform a predetermined assessment activity related to performance of the mobility device and/or user. Automatic adjustments to the device components, including adjusting tension and resistance levels of the joint components, may then be made based the performance metrics.