This paper presents a cable-driven actuation module design that can be easily integrated into soft wearable robots to enhance their functional versatility. The actuation module is easily mountable to various wearable systems through a simple locking mechanism and customized electronics. Furthermore, the symmetrical design of the actuation module allows for multiple orientation options, significantly expanding its range of applications. Through the use of finite element analysis (FEA), we reduce the weight of the actuation module by selecting lightweight materials, without compromising its reliability and durability. The modular and lightweight characteristics of this actuator make it suited for integration into various wearable usages. We applied the modular actuator to the soft wearable lower-limb device and showed the effectiveness through metabolic cost and electromyography(EMG) signal measurements.

We previously proposed cable-driven wearable devices for exercise and gait assistance. It was a lightweight and suit-type device with programmable resistance or assistance adjustment capabilities. In this paper, we introduce 1) a wearable gym device designed to focus on lower limb muscles and 2) a stationary gym device for comprehensive strength (weight) training. The actuation module can be used interchangeably for both devices. This actuation module includes a control board and a cable-driven actuator with a smaller size, improved strength, and greater speed compared to previous version. Its compact size makes easy implementation into our proposed devices. To evaluate the effectiveness of these devices, we conducted surface electromyography (sEMG) experiments during exercises comparing the effects of the developed devices with traditional dumbbells to confirm their efficacy.

Hip assistance with cable-driven devices has been proven to help decrease the metabolic cost of gait. However, most existing devices use heavy actuating modules or provide assistance in only one direction, limiting the effectiveness. Cable-driven devices are also difficult to accurately estimate the hip position using only motor encoders, therefore utilizing various auxiliary sensors. This paper introduces a 1.5 kg cable-driven soft wearable hip assist device that can provide assistance in both flexion and extension, using a velocity-dependent delayed output feedback controller (v-DOFC). The device is designed with the consideration of ergonomics and pressure distribution of wearable parts, to increase the anchoring performance and comfort. The controller uses time-delayed feedback proportional to the velocity output state, allowing control without requiring accurate position estimation. Additionally, directional weighting is used to provide different assistance forces for extension and flexion to match different optimal assistance values. Experimental results show that the device can reduce metabolic cost by 13.8 % compared to walking without the device. The soft wearable hip assist device can be applied to help the elderly with weaker muscles to walk longer distances.