Robot-assisted cooperative rehabilitation training has shown superiority in helping the individuals with motion impairment problems to regain their motor functions. This paper presents the development and evaluation of a new cooperative training control scheme for an end-effector-type rehabilitation robot to provide upper extremity rehabilitation training with desired compliance and intensity. Firstly, the overall mechanical structure and real-time control system of rehabilitation robot are introduced. Secondly, an integral fuzzy sliding mode impedance control strategy combined with time-delay estimation (IFSMIC-TDE) is proposed to induce the active participation of patients and suppress impedance error. The IFSMIC-TDE approach is free from nonlinear robot dynamics, and it is designed to be robust to the external uncertainties and inherent chattering characteristics. After that, the closed-loop system stability with IFSMIC-TDE is proved based on the Lyapunov stability theory. Finally, experimental investigations are conducted to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed rehabilitation robot and control algorithm. The comparison results indicate that the proposed IFSMIC-TDE can achieve better control performance and less impedance error. Besides, the interaction compliance and training intensity can be qualitatively adjusted via appropriate impedance parameters. INDEX TERMS Upper extremity rehabilitation robot, cooperative training, sliding mode impedance control, fuzzy turner, time delay estimation.

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Purpose Hand motor dysfunction has seriously reduced people’s quality of life. The purpose of this paper is to solve this problem; different soft exoskeleton robots have been developed because of their good application prospects in assistance. In this paper, a new soft hand exoskeleton is designed to help people conduct rehabilitation training. Design/methodology/approach The proposed soft exoskeleton is an under-actuated cable-driven mechanism, which optimizes the force transmission path and many local structures. Specifically, the path of force transmission is optimized and cables are wound around cam-shaped spools to prevent cables lose during fingers movement. Besides, a pre-tightening system is presented to adjust the preload force of the cable-tube. Moreover, a passive brake mechanism is proposed to prevent the cables from falling off the spools when the remote side is relaxed. Findings Finally, three control strategies are proposed to assist in rehabilitation training. Results show that the average correlation coefficient of trajectory tracking is 90.99% and this exoskeleton could provide steady clamping force up to 35 N, which could meet the demands of activities in daily living. Surface electromyography (sEMG)-based intention recognition method is presented to complete assistance and experiments are conducted to prove the effectiveness of the assisted grasping method by monitoring muscle activation, finger angle and interactive force. Research limitations/implications However, the system should be further optimized in terms of hardware and control to reduce delays. In addition, more clinical trials should be conducted to evaluate the effect of the proposed rehabilitation strategies. Social implications May improve the ability of hemiplegic patients to live independently. Originality/value A novel under-actuated soft hand exoskeleton structure is proposed, and an sEMG-based auxiliary grasping control strategy is presented to help hemiplegic patients conduct rehabilitation training.