Project MARCH: behind the technology of robotic exoskeletons free videos and free material uploaded by Delft University of Technology Staff .
Week 1 : Introduction to exoskeleton technology and its purpose
Topics of week 1 include:
Understanding the concept of exoskeletons, explained with reference to relevant examples
Getting to know Project MARCH
Understanding the role of exoskeletons concerning Spinal Cord Injury induced paraplegia
Learning about the advantages and disadvantages of exoskeletons deployed as assistive devices
Week 2 : The building bricks of the exoskeleton
Topics that will be covered:
Basic structural components of the exoskeleton
Differences between the various MARCH exoskeletons
Different joints and joint transmission
The importance of a perfectly fitted exoskeleton
How to handle the exoskeleton as a carer/companion
The principles of the engineering design process
Week 3 : Creating movement: making the exoskeleton walk
Topics we'll cover this week include:
The human gait and important anatomical terms
How gaits are generated for an exoskeleton
The complexity of human-machine interaction concerning gait
The basics of control and why it is so important
Important safety measures needed to limit movement
Gait generation at Project MARCH
The future of gait generation
Week 4 : Smart-technologies: how to provide input and process feedback
Topics that will be covered:
Input technology for complex systems
Definition of an input device and how it is used in exoskeleton technology
Co-creation with a pilot
The concept of user-feedback, its relevance and contribution to safety
Use of sensors to provide additional input
Data processing related to examples of sensors that could be used in exoskeletons
Learn how to choose and design input methods
Assess the advantages and disadvantages of input methods
Week 5 : Self-Balancing Exoskeletons
Topics we'll cover in this week:
Examples of balance in the animal kingdom, and the definition of balance
Physiology of balance in humans
Balance in bipedal robots, in exoskeletons and the difference between those two groups
How Project MARCH tries to achieve balance in its exoskeleton using Capture Point
Balance needed in surmounting everyday obstacles
Designing a balance-friendly exoskeleton from scratch / redesigning a self-balancing bipedal robot to fit a human while maintaining balance
Week 6 : Exoskeletons – the bigger picture
Topics we'll cover in this week:
A recap of the previous five weeks
Designing your own exoskeleton, using the knowledge gained from the previous weeks
An explanation of Project MARCH's vision
How to create your own vision for exoskeleton technology and how to implement this vision in your particular context
Over the last 20 years, exoskeletons have gained an increasing amount of attention as an assistive device to help people with spinal cord injury stand up and walk again. While this cutting-edge technology can have many applications - for example, in military or industrial settings - this course focuses on the use of powered exoskeletons in the medical field, specifically for people with spinal cord injury. Each year, between 250,000 and 500,000 people worldwide suffer from spinal cord injury. Amongst many possible symptoms, this may result in a loss of motor control in large parts of the body, including the legs.
The course is open to anyone interested in exoskeletons for the medical or technological field. This includes, but is not limited to, people who:
are eager to learn about exoskeleton technology;
are university students interested in medical or technological topics;
are working in a non-biomechanical field and are simply enthusiastic about exoskeleton technology;
have some experience of working on a biomechanical project.
The course delivers a complete overview of all aspects of exoskeleton technology. Topics range from the health benefits of exoskeletons and the importance of co-creation with the user, to mechanical structure and developing 'smarter' exoskeletons. You will strengthen your analytical and creative mindset by designing solutions to given problems and by analyzing current challenges in the field of exoskeleton technology. Through discussions with fellow participants, you will form your own vision about the future of exoskeletons.
This course is developed by and uses examples from Project MARCH: the exoskeleton-building team consisting of students from TU Delft. This team consists of around twenty-five students from different disciplines who volunteer to participate in the project over the course of a full year. Drawing from their hands-on experience and the knowledge gained while researching, designing and building different exoskeletons over the years, they are ideally placed to provide you with a complete online course covering the design, use and future challenges of letting people with spinal cord injury walk again.
- 0 Reviews
- 1 Students
- 101 Courses
Write a public review