Human beings adapt their motor patterns in response to their surroundings, utilizing sensory modalities such as visual inputs. This context-informed adaptive motor behavior has increased interest in integrating computer vision algorithms into robotic assistive technologies, marking a shift towardscontext aware control. However, such integration has rarely been achieved so far, with current methods mostly relying on data-driven approaches. In this study, we introduce a novel control framework for a soft hip exosuit, employing instead a physics-informed computer vision method grounded on geometric modeling of the captured scene for assistance tuning during stairs and level walking. This approach promises to provide a viable solution that is more computationally efficient and does not depend on training examples. Evaluating the controller with six subjects on a path comprising level walking and stairs, we achieved an overall detection accuracy of$93.0\pm 1.1\%$. Computer vision-based assistance provided significantly greater metabolic benefits compared to non-vision-based assistance, with larger energy reductions relative to being unassisted during stair ascent ($-18.9 \pm 4.1\%$vs.$-5.2 \pm 4.1\%$) and descent ($-10.1 \pm 3.6\%$vs.$-4.7 \pm 4.8\%$). Such a result is a consequence of the adaptive nature of the device, enabled by the context aware controller, that allowed for more effective walking support: i.e. the assistive torque showed a significant increase while ascending stairs ($+33.9\pm 8.8\%$) and decrease while descending stairs ($-17.4\pm 6.0\%$) compared to a condition without assistance modulation enabled by vision. These results highlight the potential of the approach, promoting effective real-time embedded applications in assistive robotics.

Sitting, standing, and walking are fundamental activities crucial for maintaining independence in daily life. However, aging or lower limb injuries can impede these activities, posing obstacles to individuals' autonomy. In response to this challenge, we developed the LM-Ease (lower-limb movement ease), a compact and soft wearable robot designed to provide hip assistance. Its purpose is to aid users in carrying out essential daily activities such as sitting, standing, and walking. The LM-Ease features a fully actuated tendon-driven system that seamlessly transitions between assistance actuation profiles tailored for sitting, standing, and walking movements. This device provides the user with gravity support during stand-to-sit, and offers hip extension assistance pulling force during sit-to-stand and walking. Our preliminary results show that with the LM-Ease, healthy young adults (n$=$8) had significantly lower muscle activation: average reduction of 15.6% during stand-to-sit and 17.8% during sit-to-stand. Furthermore, with LM-Ease, participants demonstrated a 12.7% reduction in metabolic cost during ground walking. These evidences suggest that the LM-Ease holds potential in reducing muscular activation and energy expenditure during these fundamental daily activities. It could serve as a valuable tool for individuals seeking assistance in enhancing lower limb mobility, thereby bolstering their independence and overall quality of life.