Exoskeletons present a formidable engineering challenge, necessitating designs that are both lightweight and powerful; compact yet comfortable for the user. Regardless of the application, motion design and motor selection are make-or-break steps in the engineering process.
How can these choices help (or hinder) the ultimate performance, which must mimic the complex mechanics of the human body? Here we explore key considerations and insights.
As wearable devices, exoskeletons must be comfortable, reliable and safe — a tall order given their extremely complex mechanics. Engineers must consider three main criteria when designing exoskeletons for commercial viability: keeping temperatures low enough to enable humans to safely wear them; minimizing the risk of accidents and injuries; and ensuring optimal mobility for the user.
These requirements entail careful design — and the selection of a motor designed to work specifically with exoskeleton joints.
The exoskeleton market to date, has been built on smaller volumes and custom production. As the industry shifts — and exoskeletons become more common and viable for everything from medical rehabilitation and mobility to heavy load lifting — OEMs should be smart about the transition to efficient, high-volume production.
But moving to full-rate production presents a new set of challenges and considerations. Projects that seemed feasible during R&D and even LRIP can quickly become impossible at scale for a variety of reasons. How can OEMs foresee (and avoid) issues that may arise as they ramp up production?
