Robots to Provide a Steadying Hand at the Right Time

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

For assistive technologies to fulfill their potential, they have to be the equivalent of machine washable. That is, they need to be convenient.

Walsh, whose NSF-funded projects include the development of a soft robotic exosuit and soft robotic glove -- both wearable technologies to restore or enhance human movement -- says affordability, comfort and convenience are important considerations in his research.

"It comes down to: 'How do we apply as much force as possible in the most comfortable way?'" he says.

Like the other NSF-funded projects, Walsh's technologies are about improving people's quality of life in subtle but critical ways. He uses the analogy of a person on a swing.

"Think of someone swinging back and forth. You give them a little tap at the right time and they swing higher," he says.

The same applies to soft robotic suits: "As someone is walking, we give them a little boost to walk farther, walk longer. If you want to go to the local store to buy something, put on a robotic suit to walk around. If you want to cook dinner, put on a glove that helps you be more dexterous."

He focuses on minimalist, user-friendly systems that incorporate relatively new components in robotics: textiles, silicon and hybrid materials. (His lab is home to about seven sewing machines.)

Alexander Leonessa, program director of the NSF General and Age Related Disability Engineering program, says these projects are representative of how interdisciplinary, fundamental engineering research is leading to the development of new technologies, devices and software to improve the quality of life for people with disabilities.

It's all in support of a new generation of robots -- that don't look like conventional robots -- tailored to people who need assistance the most.

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