Paper:
Realization of All 7 Motions for the Upper Limb by a Muscle Suit
Hiroshi Kobayashi*,**, Taichi Shiiba*, and Yujiro Ishida*
*Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, Science University of Tokyo, 1-3 Kagurazaka, Shinjuku, Tokyo 162-8601, Japan
**JST, PRESTO21, 4-1-8 Honchou, Kawaguchi, Saitama, Japan
A “muscle suit” that provides muscular support for those paralyzed or otherwise unable to move unaided is being developed. The absence of a metal frame and use of McKibben artificial muscles makes the suit lightweight enough for practical use. We propose an armor-like suit and abduction motion is realized. Because it is difficult to implement all upper limb motion in an armor-like suit, we use mechanical joints and a hard frame and all motion is achieved for the upper limb.
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Copyright© 2004 by Fuji Technology Press Ltd. and Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers. All right reserved.