Design and build the mechanical aspect of a non-invasive hip exoskeleton for the NAU Biomechatronics Lab. The design must be comfortable for the user, have the degrees of freedom necessary to allow proper movement of the hip joint, and be as lightweight as possible.
NAU’s Biomechatronics Lab focuses on developing wearable robotics (exoskeletons) to improve the mobility of people with walking impairment. New devices are tested by comparing the exo-assisted metabolic cost of walking with the unassisted metabolic demand.
The hip exoskeleton will be used to test the optimal amount of joint torque assistance needed at the hip to decrease the metabolic cost of walking in children.
The project will focus only on the mechanical design and movement of the Hip exoskeleton based off hip joint range of motion. Budget of $2,500 - $3,000.
Customer requirements were taken from both this project description and conversations with the project sponsor.