Preliminary Development of Test Methods to Evaluate Lower Body Wearable Robots for Human Performance Augmentation

Abstract

Wearable robotics are prevalent in the medical domain for prosthetic and rehabilitation uses, and those for performance augmentation of able bodied people for industrial and military domains are also on the rise. Some common metrics exist for evaluating these systems, such as metabolic cost, but they are incomplete with regards to the many other characteristics to be compared between systems. To this end, we are developing holistic test methods, specifically those for lower body wearable robots focused on performance augmentation. We discuss the test methods' structure, considerations, and development. Prototypes of the test methods have been exercised with a user wearing a B-Temia Dermoskeleton system. Our initial development has led to a baseline set of basic and applied tasks that can be evaluated comparatively between performing the task without and with the system, measuring simple task-based metrics based on time, repetitions, loading capacity, and range of motion. Future work includes exercising the test methods with more wearable robotic systems and formulating a working task group to assist in driving development.

Consensus paper on testing and evaluation of military exoskeletons for the dismounted combatant

“…21 In line with this suggestion, an initial set of basic and applied military specific tasks for assessing lower body exoskeletons has been developed by Carlson et al 22 The authors 22 provided a readily accessible methodology that was low cost, and intended as a high-level assessment to inform initial designs and concepts. As such, the methods described did not include details of task parameters or objective and subjective metrics, as has been recommended by Torricelli et al 21 Therefore, the absence of traditional laboratory measurements significantly reduces the scientific rigour and reliability of the potential findings from the tasks described by Carlson et al 22 Transparency in the literature regarding design details and the effect of the device on human performance will expedite the rate at which technology matures, the likelihood of such products being fielded 23 and the military impact of this new technology. As such, in addition to in-house testing, independent and impartial evaluations offer an unbiased insight into a device's performance, shortcomings and potential use cases/applications.…”

Evaluation Methods and Measurement Challenges for Industrial Exoskeletons

“…Therefore, mobility tests have also been developed. Mobility test methods while using exoskeletons include, but are not limited to, movements, with and without loads, climbing, and agility [ 60 ].…”