User:KVDP/AT prosthetics
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This article discusses robots with a skeleton and without a skeletion (doll-type robot for use as a artificial limb). The first type of robot at present has little to no practical use, but explains the general mechanical design (joints, motors, air muscles, ...)
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[edit] Robots with own skeleton; android
For walking, a skeleton-android can use 2 legs. For running: rather than having to run upstraight as humans, a skeleton-android can be made to run on hands and legs (like quadrupeds). This is actually a better way of moving since it then uses 4 "legs" and hereby does not need to constantly "fall forward" as described in the image on the right. It also allows faster moving speeds and reduced energy consumption while moving at high speed. The quadruped type of moving is -evolutionary seen- actually superior than ours). It may (quastionable) also allow personal transport by having the owner to ride along on the back of the robot (like a horse). Note that the user must then be strapped on to prevent falling (the user may also be strapped on back-on-back for even more security); the robot can steer itself using gps-coordination.
The exact steps required for quadruped running can be observed from a cheetah, see http://gashu-monsata.deviantart.com/art/Cheetah-run-animation-sketch-204521377 , http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XO9FRThBBig , http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DvtA17Ctpe8 Note that the arms and legs need to be equally long for this, the reason why the android design on the right looks so weird.
Note: cheapest androids commercially available today: 12000 dollar
[edit] Robots with exoskeleton (doll-type); remote-operated
I find that by changing the (humanoid) robot's design (using a doll rather than a skeleton), we can also use the robot itself as the prosthetic. By eliminating the metal skeleton (I assume Aiko has this too), we can make the robot be structurally supporting only by means of the "skin" (hence essentially building a doll). The idea is that, a bit like in the "iron man" films, a person can then occupy the doll. This would be usefull if the person is handicapped (ie spinal injury, ...)
At present, robotic prosthetics are on the rise and "robotic trousers", ... are allready being made by some companies. See http://www.newdisability.com/exoskeletonsuit.htm .However, most of these still require the use of walking sticks and are generally not suitable for people that can not walk anymore at all (most are walking assists, not true robotic legs). Hence by using the basic design of a robotic trouser (such as the ReWalk, REX, ... see http://www.martinfrost.ws/htmlfiles/scotnews10/100716-rex.html), making it structurally stronger (ie 4 "legs", 2 for each human leg, placed inside the doll skin which raps around the body; see second image in annex), we can solve the problem. The doll parts (ie legs, arms, upper body, ...) will need to be removable (so that the user can put them on).
[edit] OD exoskeleton with mind control
I recently posted this at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talk:Powered_exoskeleton . I'm wondering whether the idea could also be used in a AT context (for use in developing countries). This would be useful ie as a alternative to prosthetics (allot of developing countries have a history of with dismemberments ie from landmines, ...)
A Open-design (OD) exoskeleton with mind control could possible be developed. This would be useful to the disabled, which could, unlike a wheelchair, really be given a sense of being able to walk. In addition, as the nervous system is more and more being understood, the OD exoskeleton could also possible be used in the future to animate the artificial body parts directly via the nervous system.
The OD exoskeleton with mind control would be similar to the mind control device by Kazuo Tanaka/Toyota/EPFL (see http://www.slashgear.com/mind-controlled-wheelchair-no-longer-science-fiction-11863/ , http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/30/toyotas-mind-controlled-wheelchair-boast-fastest-brainwave-anal/ ,http://cnbi.epfl.ch/software/index.html)
The OD exoskeleton itself can be made using
- a modular exoskeleton, comprised of all bodyparts (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_anatomy ). This would allow the disabled person of using only that body part he requires.
- the mind control device by Kazuo Tanaka/Toyota
- the additional exoskeleton parts; ie engine(s) + power source; these could be:
- small electric engine (to power the main muscles in the bodypart) and a electrochemical battery as the power source. The electrochemical battery could be a battery already in mass-production (ie the laptop batteries used in the Tesla Motors roadster).
- air muscles (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pneumatic_artificial_muscles ) and a compressed air tank. Since air muscles are already frequently found in robotics, they are probably relatively cheap. See also: http://store.discoveryeducation.com/product/show/48476
- additionally, a engine (or valve) control system needs to be added, hooked up to the mind control device. Note that this engine (or valve) control system too needs to be powered; ie direcly from a EC battery.
KVDP (talk) 06:41, 25 May 2010 (UTC)
--> Update: at present, it seems that mind control devices are still far too expensive for inclusion --> update 2: digging a little further, I found that the Emotiv headset might be used to make the device allot cheaper. Also, allot of the work (soft + hardware) for the control of the exoskeleton might be gathered from an earlier project by the Prototype This team, see http://www.grandideastudio.com/portfolio/pt-mind-controlled-car/
[edit] Open design robot
- for an open design project to work, revenue must be attained very quickly/immediatelly; practically the only suitable application for a robot in the (very) near future would be as a prosthetic; however this would require the robot to walk independantly (so needs to have the circuitry allready ready). Integrating the mechanic part of it (joints/actuators) can allready be done, so the independant walking can then later be foreseen as an upgrade. Another inconvenience at present is the power consumption, at present this is still far too high (so limited operation) and/or recharging of electric batteries takes too much time. This could be only later solved ie by integrating a microbial fuel cell (so the robot can extract electricity from regular food/organic refuge). I think this is the most suitable power plant for a humanoid robot that is actually suitable; other options (ie WiTriCity, ...) require infrastructure to be present near the robot
- besides attaining revenue for upgrades, ... (robot development), revenue must also be present to allow the maker of the robot to construct it in practice/mass-produce it. Only then can the open-development idea work, as their needs to be a large audience of intrested people/people aware of it. You can see a similar thing with the Willow Garage robots now being mass-produced/being apart of a open-development project.
[edit] See also
- File:Artist impression hexapod robot.JPG ; an earlier idea, perhaps that the feet may be usable as a platform for the exoskeleton crane idea
