#  Running augmentation 

 



While promising proof-of-concept results highlighting the benefits of hip exoskeletons have been shown, there remains much scope to explore how to provide the best assistance to each individual for a wide range of dynamic activities (e.g. walking, running, uphill/downhill, stair ascent/descent, etc.). Hitherto, most of exoskeletons as a whole have merely focused on walking augmentation and there were very limited researches regarding how to assist different activities. Meanwhile, from our previous pilot study, we also learned that delivering the same assistive profile for different activities is very uncomfortable and not helpful to the user. The results from these preliminary studies emphasize the needs to recognize a wide range of dynamic activities and transition between them and to deliver appropriate profiles for each activity. As a first step to assist a wide range of activities, we started with running augmentation. Running and walking are clearly different from a spatiotemporal, kinematic, dynamic, and muscular point of view. On the basis of dynamic definition difference between walking and running, we implemented robust classification between them with limited body worn sensors. Furthermore, from the musculoskeletal simulation study, we experimentally found an effective hip extension profile for running, so that autonomous hip-only exosuits can automatically detect the user's motion, deliver the proper assistive profile, and eventually reduce the metabolic expenditure and cost of transport of the user. To the best of our knowledge, this hip-only soft exosuits recorded the first wearable device showing metabolic energy reduction during walking and running.

Sort   ![Running augmentation body worn system](/sites/g/files/omnuum11441/files/styles/hwp_1_1__720x720_scale/public/biodesignlab/files/fig_1.png?itok=PY2OXQZm) 

 



   ![Running augmentation teaser](/sites/g/files/omnuum11441/files/styles/hwp_1_1__720x720_scale/public/biodesignlab/files/fig1_png.png?itok=seuOFpCY) 

 



*Breakdown of body-worn system*

*Testing setup*







 



 

 See also:- [ Biomechanics ](/research-areas/biomechanics)
- [ Running Augmentation ](/research-areas/running-augmentation)