Robotic shorts have been developed which allow the frail and elderly to be more mobile.
Researchers at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) said the device enabled people to walk more easily while expending less energy.
Professor Lorenzio Masia said the aim was to keep frail individuals, in particular the elderly, mobile and healthy for longer.
“You can walk slowly with the shorts, but you can also jog,” Professor Masia said.
“We have developed a system that makes people want to move around more. It’s the same concept as the electric bike, but for walking.”
He said analysis showed for an older person walking 400m on level ground, it reduced the energy needed by more than 10 percent.
“This is comparable to the effects of a reduction in body weight of more than six kilograms.”
Doctoral student Enrica Tricomi said when a person wearing the device transitioned from standing to walking, two thin, artificial tendons, extending from the thigh to a waist belt, pulled upwards at the same time and relieved the hip flexors of some of their load.
Ms Tricomi said a measuring device attached to the tendons determined the hip angle and velocity.
She said the device then sent a signal to the motors precisely at the transition to the swing phase of walking.
“The system recognises how fast or slowly the person is moving, adapts to the respective weight of the legs and provides individual support accordingly.”
Ms Tricomi said in contrast to systems already available in outdoor shops, such as as exoskeletons, this was not a rigid frame, but a soft garment.
“(It) looks more like clothing and is no bigger than a small rucksack overall.”
Read the full research article: Soft robotic shorts improve outdoor walking efficiency in older adults
