16HS2: Portable Pneumatically Powered Orthoses

Project Leader: Elizabeth Hsiao-Wecksler and Girish Krishnan, Professor of Mechanical Engineering

Institution: University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign

Light, compact, efficient, powered, untethered powered orthotic systems have the potential to yield significant advancements in orthotic control mechanisms and clinical treatment strategies. In this project, we will develop the next generation of powered ankle-foot orthosis and arm orthosis to reduce weight, bulk, and complexity in form factor and operational control, while increasing power and device performance. This will also drive the development of enabling fluid power technologies to miniaturize fluid power systems for use in other novel, human-scale, untethered devices in the 10 – 100 W range.

To see what’s new with this project click here. 

The award period for this CCEFP research project ended June 30, 2018.  For results, impacts, and future opportunities, please contact the project leaders.