Development of the ALTACRO system, a step forward to more natural gait dynamics

Carlos Rodriguez Guerrero, Branko Brackx, Victor Grosu, Ronald Van Ham, Michael Van Damme, Bram Vanderborght, Dirk Lefeber

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingMeeting abstract (Book)

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to introduce the paradigms and strategies used in the design of an Automated Locomotion Training using an Actuated Compliant Robotic Orthosis (ALTACRO). We have developed a novel gait rehabilitation robot with 11 actuated degrees of freedom to assists patients’ legs and pelvis to walk on a treadmill. Since current gait rehabilitation robots have not accomplished a clear improvement compared to conventional therapy, a need exists for devices with new characteristics that can enhance robot-assisted rehabilitation therapy.
Gait training robots have evolved noticeable from pure position controlled devices to robots that allows a more natural gait pattern by rendering themselves transparent to the human and acting only when is needed. Systems that induce external dynamics and constraint natural feedback such as passive body weight support systems, may induce unnatural proprioceptive feedback which plays a big role on motor learning. ALTACRO (Figure 1) is an attempt to give a step forward towards the goal of investigate new rehabilitation paradigms by exploiting its novel design. We believe that fueatures like mechanically compliant acuation, active ankle assistance, a controllable threadmill and fully actuated pelvis platform without the need of a body weight support system will allow us to research novel control paradigms that may lead to a more natural, unhindered gait pattern while using the device, a more natural load distribution and the inclusion of more inmersive virtual rehabilitation scenarios.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationRobot-assisted gait rehabilitation in neurological patients
Publication statusPublished - 21 May 2015
Eventcongress on neurorehabilitation and neural repair - Maastricht, Maastricht, Netherlands
Duration: 21 May 201522 May 2015

Conference

Conferencecongress on neurorehabilitation and neural repair
Country/TerritoryNetherlands
CityMaastricht
Period21/05/1522/05/15

Keywords

  • rehabilitation robotics
  • Human robot interaction

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