Power-assisted walking support system for elderly

Author

Nemoto, Yasuhiro ; Egawa, Saku ; Koseki, Atsushi ; Hattori, Shizuko ; Ishii, Takeshi ; Fujie, Pvlasakatsu

Author_Institution

Mech. Eng. Res. Lab., Hitachi Ltd., Ibaraki, Japan

Volume

5

fYear

1998

fDate

28 Oct-1 Nov 1998

Firstpage

2693

Abstract

This system is to support elderly people who need some help in standing up from the bed, walking around, sitting down to the toilet or bed for rehabilitation. In the design of this system, the use of the left function of the user was strongly considered. The experimental mechanism of the walking support system is developed. The basic features are: (1) electrically power-assisted in both motions of standing-up/sitting-down and walking; (2) a sensor system for easier motion instruction for the elderly. Future research includes field test and evaluation of the system functions. The force sensitive motion control method with compensation of gravity on the slope is also discussed

Keywords

biocontrol; compensation; force sensors; geriatrics; handicapped aids; mechatronics; medical robotics; mobile robots; motion control; servomotors; PC-based controller; arm support; elderly people; force sensitive motion control method; force sensor system; gravity compensation on slope; motion instruction; power-assisted walking support system; rehabilitation; safety function; servomotors; sitting-down; standing-up; Control systems; Force control; Force sensors; Laboratories; Legged locomotion; Mechanical engineering; Senior citizens; Sensor systems; System testing; Wheels;

fLanguage

English

Publisher

ieee

Conference_Titel

Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society, 1998. Proceedings of the 20th Annual International Conference of the IEEE

Conference_Location

Hong Kong

ISSN

1094-687X

Print_ISBN

0-7803-5164-9

Type

conf

DOI

10.1109/IEMBS.1998.745229

Filename

745229