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Father builds exoskeleton to help wheelchair-bound son walk

reuters.com

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Re: Father builds exoskeleton to help wheelchair-bound son walk

#31

Post by the_lonely_road »

ad404b8a372f2b9 wrote: post #3

I've been making my own, purely as a pipe-dream to have some hope of walking again, it's not easy but I'm hoping it'll be a better fit than consumer ones, and probably cheaper. I feel like we've made leaps and bounds in prosthetics this past decade but orthotics and exoskeletons haven't been following the trend for some reason. As an engineer I imagine there are some significant design constraints that make it hard b…

My understanding is its the same thing limiting everything else. Power. Batteries more specifically. We just don't have a way to power anything for very long that doesn't have a cable attached to a wall attached to a power station. Honestly the ability for humans (and other living creatures) to just DO SO MUCH on just a little bio mass each day is astounding.

Re: Father builds exoskeleton to help wheelchair-bound son walk

#32

Post by smoldesu »

ad404b8a372f2b9 wrote: post #3

I've been making my own, purely as a pipe-dream to have some hope of walking again, it's not easy but I'm hoping it'll be a better fit than consumer ones, and probably cheaper. I feel like we've made leaps and bounds in prosthetics this past decade but orthotics and exoskeletons haven't been following the trend for some reason. As an engineer I imagine there are some significant design constraints that make it hard b…

My grandpa, who died before I was born, was wheelchair-bound for the second half of his life, and I was told that he handled it well, but internally it took an incredible toll on his body. When he finally passed away, they found that his basement was littered with machinery, engines and pre-cut body panels. Apparently, in the last few years of his life he threw himself into the idea of building his own plane to restore his freedom on his own terms.

Bit of a sad story, but it never fails to motivate me past my usual, procrastinating self.

Re: Father builds exoskeleton to help wheelchair-bound son walk

#33

Post by ad404b8a372f2b9 »

giantg2 wrote: post #20
ad404b8a372f2b9 wrote: post #3

I've been making my own, purely as a pipe-dream to have some hope of walking again, it's not easy but I'm hoping it'll be a better fit than consumer ones, and probably cheaper. I feel like we've made leaps and bounds in prosthetics this past decade but orthotics and exoskeletons haven't been following the trend for some reason. As an engineer I imagine there are some significant design constraints that make it hard b…

I've always wanted to make one that fits like spandex and uses things that mimic anatomical function, like nitinol wires to mimic muscle.

Oh that's interesting, I use a spandex-like component inside the frame but only to hold electromyography (EMG) electrodes against the leg. I reckon you'd still need a support structure to hold the 50-100kg of weight of the user though.

Re: Father builds exoskeleton to help wheelchair-bound son walk

#34

Post by giantg2 »

yupper32 wrote: post #28
giantg2 wrote: post #20

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I've always wanted to make one that fits like spandex and uses things that mimic anatomical function, like nitinol wires to mimic muscle.

In order to mimic muscle wouldn't you need the wires physically attached to your body somehow? Getting leverage with a spandex like material doesn't sound possible.

Yes, the nitinol is not the only component. You would need things to mimic other pieces of the system, like tendons and a way to anchor them to false structures or utilize existing bone.

I mentioned fitting similar to spandex because all these other suits are bulky. Sure, this system would still have bulk, but it should be more conforming than mechanical legs that sit several inches outside of the person's natural legs. Good luck fitting on public transportation, airplanes, or even walking through a 32" door if you were a bigger person to start with.

Re: Father builds exoskeleton to help wheelchair-bound son walk

#35

Post by michaelt »

AutumnCurtain wrote: post #15
ad404b8a372f2b9 wrote: post #3

I've been making my own, purely as a pipe-dream to have some hope of walking again, it's not easy but I'm hoping it'll be a better fit than consumer ones, and probably cheaper. I feel like we've made leaps and bounds in prosthetics this past decade but orthotics and exoskeletons haven't been following the trend for some reason. As an engineer I imagine there are some significant design constraints that make it hard b…

I worked in a logistics operation that explored exoskeleton options deeply in 2019. Options were shockingly limited and the best products were not powered in any way - essentially just frames to bolster your body mechanically. Compare to the massive, extremely precise, and power-efficient automated storage and retrieval systems and it just seemed like stone age tech. My takeaway was that powered exoskeleton tech must…

What sort of power sources do current powered exoskeletons use, and what sort of runtimes do you get?

That's where I'd foresee the limitations - that you'd end up hefting 80 lbs of battery for 20 minutes of operation.

Re: Father builds exoskeleton to help wheelchair-bound son walk

#36

Post by nzeribe »

samstave wrote: post #17

One of my favorite movies "Edge of Tomorrow" has dope exoskeletons, and while its a movie - thats where this is heading... I am surprised Boston Dynamics hasnt made one! If you converted the agility of Atlas into an exoskeleton, that would be pretty interesting...

Aliens, 1986: "I have a class-2 rating." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YPMk-EEyOpE

Re: Father builds exoskeleton to help wheelchair-bound son walk

#37

Post by giantg2 »

ad404b8a372f2b9 wrote: post #33
giantg2 wrote: post #20

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I've always wanted to make one that fits like spandex and uses things that mimic anatomical function, like nitinol wires to mimic muscle.

Oh that's interesting, I use a spandex-like component inside the frame but only to hold electromyography (EMG) electrodes against the leg. I reckon you'd still need a support structure to hold the 50-100kg of weight of the user though.

That, or leverage the existing bone. It may even be possible to leverage counter force of the opposing "muscle groups" of nitinol wire using some sort of artificial joint designed to take advantage of it.

Re: Father builds exoskeleton to help wheelchair-bound son walk

#38

Post by AutumnCurtain »

michaelt wrote: post #35
AutumnCurtain wrote: post #15

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I worked in a logistics operation that explored exoskeleton options deeply in 2019. Options were shockingly limited and the best products were not powered in any way - essentially just frames to bolster your body mechanically. Compare to the massive, extremely precise, and power-efficient automated storage and retrieval systems and it just seemed like stone age tech. My takeaway was that powered exoskeleton tech must…

What sort of power sources do current powered exoskeletons use, and what sort of runtimes do you get? That's where I'd foresee the limitations - that you'd end up hefting 80 lbs of battery for 20 minutes of operation.

I haven't been in the industry for a little bit, so I'm sure the tech has evolved, but the versions we evaluated used battery hot-swapping to extend use time. I honestly don't recall how long a single battery ran for. We primarily evaluated them for use for loads that were too light or unwieldy to necessitate a vehicle but which were too heavy for a human worker to regularly lift without risk of injury (so the 75-200lb range)

Re: Father builds exoskeleton to help wheelchair-bound son walk

#39

Post by agumonkey »

ad404b8a372f2b9 wrote: post #3

I've been making my own, purely as a pipe-dream to have some hope of walking again, it's not easy but I'm hoping it'll be a better fit than consumer ones, and probably cheaper. I feel like we've made leaps and bounds in prosthetics this past decade but orthotics and exoskeletons haven't been following the trend for some reason. As an engineer I imagine there are some significant design constraints that make it hard b…

I'm near ready to start a workshop, I think we ought to make these kind of things more prevalent, a lot of money is lost on ultra expensive medical devices with really low value (wheelchairs or similar)

giving someone an exoskeleton might be something much more joyful and inspiring than a wheelchair, it can revive your life

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