Development of an energy harvesting backpack and performance evaluation

A biomechanical energy harvesting backpack that generates electrical energy during human walking is presented. This device differs from previous designs because it integrates motion from both lower limbs into a single mechanical drive train. The energy harvesting backpack produced an average of 15 W of electricity during walking at a speed of 1.2m/s. It was found that approximately one quarter of the total mechanical work harvested was from the negative work performed during walking. This technology could potentially be used to power portable biomedical devices.