Researchers are developing an open-source, modular robot exoskeleton

Over the past decade, exoskeletons have emerged as one of the most exciting categories for robotics research. They've also grown into a lucrative avenue for startups leveraging the technology to take some of the physical burden off of blue-collar workers and improve movement for people with mobility issues.

It’s one of those ideas that seems perpetually on the cusp of a mainstream breakthrough, but there remains a barrier of entry for those looking to embrace the technology. Researchers at the University of Michigan are hoping to make the world of wearable assistive robotics more accessible through OpenExo.

The project, which is highlighted in this month’s Science Robotics, is an open-source, modular approach to exoskeletons. Researchers are building the platform to decrease the cost and time currently required to develop a system.

“Our hope is that OpenExo will accelerate the development and testing of new exoskeleton designs and control schemes while simultaneously encouraging others,” the team notes, “including those who would have been turned away from entering the field, to explore new and unique research questions.”

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As such, all aspects of the software and hardware design are free for other researchers to access and use in their own work. That includes electrical schematics, code, a Github repository, and a wiki with a bill of materials and build guides.

Modularity is the other key factor here, allowing researchers to swap relevant components in, as needed.

Per the paper,

The modular hardware components include an untethered waist belt that houses the electronics and supports up to four motors at a time, with direct-drive and Bowden cable–based transmission options. The customizable software includes an open-source exoskeleton control package designed to have a high degree of modularity to accommodate new joints, motor types, sensors, and control approaches, including the ability to plot and store data, update controller parameters, and provide biofeedback. I2C, interintegrated circuit; SPI, serial peripheral interface.

The relevant information can be accessed over on the OpenExo site.