Soft exosuit helps people walk without bulky motors

Walking through an airport or around a large store can take more energy as we get older. Researchers in China are now testing a soft robotic suit that could someday help your legs do some of that work.

The experimental soft exosuit assists the hips using thin artificial muscles instead of conventional motors and gearboxes. The research, published in the peer-reviewed journal Science Advances, describes a 4.2-pound prototype that fits around the waist and thighs like a lightweight harness.

In a small treadmill test, six healthy adults used an average of 13.9% less energy while the powered assistance was active. Sensors also showed that their leg muscles worked less.

So, how does the soft exosuit actually work, and what still needs to improve before you could ever wear one?

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Many robotic exoskeletons rely on rigid motors to move a person’s joints. Others use compressed air, which requires pumps, valves and an air tank. Those components can make an exoskeleton heavy or noisy. They can also restrict how naturally your body moves.

The new soft exosuit takes a different approach. It uses flexible muscle-like fibers positioned near each hip. As you walk, the fibers pull at the right point in your stride to help move your leg forward. Straps transfer that pulling force from the artificial muscles to the wearer’s hips and thighs. The flexible design allows the suit to move with the body rather than enclosing the legs inside a rigid frame. "Motor-free" refers to the lack of traditional motors and gearboxes. The suit still uses a compact battery pack and electrical power system to activate its artificial muscles.

The artificial muscles use a rubber-like material called a dielectric elastomer. The material changes shape when exposed to an electric field. Researchers have studied dielectric elastomers for years. However, earlier designs lacked the force needed to help move a human leg. Many were also too bulky for a comfortable wearable device.

Wei Yu and his colleagues at Hebei University of Technology changed the molecular structure of the material to improve its performance. They then rolled thin layers into long fibers. Next, the team grouped several fibers into bundles. The arrangement works somewhat like human muscle, where many smaller fibers pull together to create greater force.

The researchers also created modular connectors that allow them to add more fibers when an application requires additional pulling power. According to Hebei University of Technology, the actuators completed more than 100,000 cycles during laboratory testing. Longer studies will need to show how well the materials hold up during daily wear.

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The researchers tested the soft exosuit on six healthy volunteers. Each participant walked on a treadmill under several conditions. They walked without the suit. They also wore it with the artificial muscles turned off. During another round, the electrical assistance actively supported their hips.

A metabolic testing system measured how much oxygen each person used. Sensors attached to their legs also tracked muscle activity. When the assistance was active, the volunteers used an average of 13.9% less energy than they used while walking without the suit. Lower muscle activity also suggested that their legs needed less effort to complete each step.

That reduction could feel meaningful during a long walk. However, this study involved a controlled treadmill setting and a very small group. The volunteers were also healthy adults. Researchers still need dedicated studies involving older people and those with mobility challenges.

A wearable device that reduces walking effort could help people stay active longer as their leg strength changes. Think about walking through a large grocery store or spending the day with family. A lightweight suit that takes some strain away from your hips could make those outings feel more manageable.

The design may also feel less intimidating than a rigid robotic frame. Its artificial muscles resemble cords built into clothing, while the supporting straps fit close to the body. People recovering from surgery could also benefit from this type of assistance one day.However, future clinical trials will need to determine who can use the suit safely and how much support each person needs. Balance presents another important consideration. The current study focused on the energy required for walking rather than fall prevention or stability.

The current prototype remains an early research system. Battery life limits how long the suit can provide assistance. The researchers want future versions to operate longer without adding much weight.

The control system also needs to respond automatically when a person speeds up or slows down. Walking across grass or climbing a slope would create additional challenges. Voltage presents another hurdle. Dielectric elastomer actuators often require more than 1,000 volts. The current stays very low, but any wearable consumer product would need strong insulation and extensive safety testing.

Researchers will also need to study how the fibers respond to sweat and changing temperatures. Repeated bending during everyday activities could affect long-term performance as well. No consumer price or release date has been announced.

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You will not be buying this soft exosuit anytime soon, but the research shows where mobility support could be headed. A lighter system that moves with your body could feel far more natural than today's bulky powered exoskeletons.

The nearly 14% drop in walking energy use is encouraging. Still, the test involved only six healthy adults on a treadmill, so we need much more evidence about comfort, safety and real-world use.

The next big step is testing the suit with older adults and people who already have trouble walking. That is where we will learn whether these artificial muscles can truly help people stay active and independent. For now, anyone noticing changes in mobility should talk with a doctor or physical therapist about the support that makes sense today.

What grabs me here is how much walking support the researchers created without loading someone down with bulky motors. A 4.2-pound suit that cut energy use by nearly 14% is worth watching. Still, this was a very small lab test with only six healthy adults. The battery needs to last longer, and the high-voltage system will need serious safety testing. The bigger test comes next. I want to see how this soft exosuit performs with older adults on real sidewalks and over longer periods before we call it a true mobility breakthrough.

Would you wear a powered exosuit to keep walking farther as you get older? Let us know by writing to us at CyberGuy.com.

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