Description

Uplifting Quality of Living of Physically Weak Individuals: Role of Power-Assist Robotic Systems In the world today, a considerable number of persons have become physically weak as a result of full or partial loss of functions in the upper and lower limbs. The common reasons for the occurrence of such weaknesses are trauma, sports injuries, occupational injuries, spinal cord injuries, strokes, congenital disorders, and ageing. The healthcare industry is facing major issues in providing support for activities of daily living of physically weak individuals. Moreover, the diminishing working population also affect the socio-economic growth of the country. In this situation, power-assist robot systems play an important role in uplifting the quality of living of physically weak people in numerous ways. An exoskeleton robot is a power-assist robotic system that can be used to rehabilitate patients or assist limbs of physically weak individuals to carry out activities of daily living. The Bionics Laboratory of Uthe niversity of Moratuwa is developing exoskeleton robots to assist physically weak people. This talk will outline selected recent developments in power assist robot systems. Compatible mechanisms developed at the Bionics Laboratory of University of Moratuwa for the lower limb exoskeleton robots will also be introduced. Future directions of the power assist robot systems are also discussed, considering the recent studies.