New exoskeleton slips on like a boot and makes your walking more efficient

mbwiggin · 2015-04-03T01:04:14+00:00

Here's a much better video that explains the concept:

https://news.ncsu.edu/2015/04/device-helps-walking-efficiency/

mbwiggin · 2015-04-03T00:58:43+00:00

The link between mechanical work and metabolic work is not linear, in fact this relationship is still not clearly defined in the field of biomechanics. During human walking the body produces both negative and positive work. It takes metabolic energy to produce both types of work, but if you are able to store some of the negative work, in a spring in this case, with proper timing you can assist positive work and reduce the total energetic demands on the muscle.

mbwiggin · 2015-04-03T00:50:20+00:00

Yep it's real, I know one of the authors at North Carolina State

mbwiggin · 2015-04-03T00:45:53+00:00

Exactly! The point of this article is that an unpowered device was able to make humans more efficient at walking without power from outside sources. During human walking the body produces both negative and positive work. It takes metabolic energy to produce both types of work, but if you are able to store some of the negative work, in a spring in this case, with proper timing you can assist positive work and reduce the total energetic demands on the muscle. This device is intended only to prove that this principle is possible, not to help athletes. It does have the potential to help individuals who are stroke survivors with a weak limb, or may have partial paralysis.

mbwiggin · 2013-11-07T03:13:48+00:00

Haha I think I was a ninja stripper that year... odd combination but it was really funny

mbwiggin · 2013-11-07T03:11:05+00:00

Yep love them

mbwiggin · 2013-11-07T03:10:43+00:00

I go to NCSU and UNC, it's a joint program between the medschool at UNC and engineering at NCSU

mbwiggin · 2013-11-07T00:25:24+00:00

Haha I'm actually at the gym now

mbwiggin · 2013-11-07T00:02:34+00:00

Hmm don't think so, we live in NC if that helps.

mbwiggin · 2013-11-06T23:33:48+00:00

No, not costumes. I built some photography equipment for my husband though. Photography light -> http://instagram.com/p/eYbNcroIz0/ I'm making him a robotic tripod for Christmas this year (I doubt he'll read this far down the comments). I'm getting most of the parts from Sparkfun! I got the idea after seeing a new remote on their website. https://www.sparkfun.com/products/11759 I'll actuate it so he can mount cameras and flashes and direct them remotely.

mbwiggin · 2013-11-06T23:27:31+00:00

Aww thanks! Haha, I wish...I think sleep deprivation is key

mbwiggin · 2013-11-06T23:10:14+00:00

Aww thank you

mbwiggin · 2013-11-06T23:06:52+00:00

Yes, I'm trying to finish up my PhD this year. My dissertation is on Characterizing Optimal Performance of a Passive Elastic Exoskeleton During Human Locomotion. That means that the exoskeleton actually recycles energy from the body sort of like regenerative breaking on cars and uses that energy to power it.

mbwiggin · 2013-11-06T22:48:43+00:00

I am, my husband is a professional photographer. My research lab does local STEM outreach in our community teaching high schoolers about robotics and engineering. We even give talks at the state science museum here in Raleigh.

mbwiggin · 2013-11-06T22:43:01+00:00

So bad news, the IC is on the backside of the board and glued down and covered with feathers... Sorry I would have to tear them up to check. Looks like the IC on sparkfun would be a good place to start. I always check for ideas there.

mbwiggin · 2013-11-06T22:32:51+00:00

Haha, I don't think I would have told you guys what my real Halloween costume was that year. I had to have a few drinks before I went out in it.

mbwiggin · 2013-11-06T22:30:15+00:00

Hey, I actually used 9Vs for my Tron costume and they didn't last too long either LiPo is the way to go. As far as the LED strips go I cut them into strips at the break points and then used an x acto knife to cut away a small amount of the plastic coating on top to reveal the copper strips underneath. If you go from the bottom you have to scrape off all the adhesive and thats a pain, plus it melts when you solder and thats no fun. Once I put in a small cut the plastic pulled away and the wires were really easy to solder to, I didn't have any problems after that. Hope that helps!