Design World – August 2019

66 August 2019 http://www.designworldonline.com DESIGN WORLD
DESIGN WORLD http://www.designworldonline.com August 2019 67

Shared Enabling Technologies

Advances in actuators, batteries, and advanced

materials are increasing the functionality and

reducing the cost of exoskeletons, resulting in more

widespread adoption. The intersection between

other areas of robotics and medical technologies is

driving much of that innovation.

Industrial robots and medical devices share a

need for more lightweight and capable systems. For

example, Harmonic Drive’s lightweight, brushless

FLA rotary actuators are useful for both types

of systems. Levitate Technologies uses polymer

bearings from igus in its unpowered exosuit.

In addition, maxon motor recently introduced

a compact, low-weight Exoskeleton Drive joint

actuation unit that consists of a brushless DC

motor with inertia-optimized rotor and high-

resolution encoders.

Hyundai is using industrial

exoskeletons to relieve

worker stress.

| Hyundai

In return, the medical exoskeleton market

will likely benefit from the spread of industrial

exoskeletons, as affordability improves.

ReWalk Robotics’ announcement that Cigna

Corp. will reimburse exoskeleton expenses for

people with spinal cord injuries demonstrates the

progress being made. Israel-based ReWalk also

recently received approval from the U.S. Food and

Drug Administration for its ReStore exoskeleton for

stroke rehabilitation.

Fourier Intelligence Co. is developing its Fourier

X2 open platform with affordability in mind.

“The new Fourier X2 is lighter, with better

materials to make it more wearable,” said Zen Koh,

deputy CEO of the Shanghai-based company. “The

application can be used in research, education,

different augmentation application purposes, and

industrial use.

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