The lecture starts with an overview of wearable robot technologies (exoskeletons, prostheses and ortheses) and its potentials, followed by the basics of wearable robotics. In addition to different approaches to the design of wearable robots and their related actuator and sensor technology, the lecture focuses on modeling the neuromusculoskeletal system of the human body and the physical and cognitive human-robot interaction for tightly coupled hybrid human-robot systems. Examples of current research and various applications of lower, upper and full body exoskeletons as well as prostheses are presented.

Learning Objectives:

The students have received fundamental knowledge about wearable robotic technologies and understand the requirements for the design, the interface to the human body and the control of wearable robots. They are able to describe methods for modelling the human neuromusculoskeletal system, the mechatronic design, fabrication and composition of interfaces to the human body. The students understand the symbiotic human–machine interaction as a core topic of Anthropomatics and have knowledge of state-of-the-art examples of exoskeletons, orthoses and prostheses.

Lecture slides and selected current literature references will be given in the lecture and made available as pdf at www.humanoids.kit.edu.

Success is assessed in the form of a written examination, usually lasting 60 minutes in accordance with § 4 (2) No. 1 SPO.

Module for Master Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics and Information Technology, Electrical Engineering and Information Technology, Sports Science, and Bachelor Mechatronics and Information Technology

Recommendations: Attendance of the lecture Mechano-Informatics and Robotics is recommended.

Workload: 120h