Novel Control Approaches for Deployment of Wearable Exoskeletons As Pediatric Rehabilitation Devices

Abstract

Wearable exoskeletons provide the opportunity to revolutionize gait training, particularly in pediatric populations, by expanding the environment for rehabilitation. To capitalize on this potential new control approaches are necessary that emphasize maintaining or increasing volitional muscle activity of the user while facilitating learning of new gait patterns. In this work we introduce a prototype pediatric exoskeleton and demonstrate real time implementation of an adaptable approach to exoskeleton control for knee extension assistance.