The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency awarded the Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University a first-phase $2.9 million follow-on contract to further develop the Soft Exosuit, an exoskeleton that could enable soldiers to walk longer distances, keep fatigue at bay and minimize the risk of injury when carrying heavy loads.
Developed by Conor Walsh, PhD, and colleagues, the Soft Exosuit is made of soft, functional textiles woven together into a piece of smart clothing that is pulled on like a pair of pants and intended to be worn under a soldier’s regular gear. According to a press release, the suit mimics the action of the leg muscles and tendons when a person walks and provides small but carefully timed assistance at the joints of the leg without restricting the wearer’s movement. In a current prototype, a series of webbing straps positioned around the lower half of the body contain a low-power microprocessor and network of supple strain sensors that continuously monitor various data signals, such as suit tension and the position of the wearer.
The team is also collaborating with clinical partners to develop a medical version of the suit to provide walking assistance for stroke patients.
“Over just a couple of short years, Conor and his team will work to fundamentally shift the paradigm of what is possible in wearable robotics,” Don Ingber, MD, PhD, founding director of the Wyss Institute, stated in the release. “Their work is a great example of the power of bringing together people from multiple disciplines with focused resources to translate what first seems like a dream into a product that could transform people’s lives.”
The Wyss Insitute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University has received an award from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency ot further develop the Soft Exosuit exoskeleton.
Source: The Wyss Insitute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University
