Exoskeleton boot can improve your ability to walk

26 Oct 2022

Ava Lakmazaheri tests the exoskeleton boot, which can boost the wearer’s walking and running speed. (Image Credit: Kurt Hickman)

People suffering from feet, ankle, and motor issues often find it difficult to walk around normally. Stanford University researchers created exoskeleton robotic boots designed to provide people with a running and walking speed boost. It features a motor that pumps calf muscles, giving wearers that extra push needed to move forward. This motor works with a machine learning model that underwent training with humans over the past few years via emulators. The team hopes their exoskeleton combat boots can make walking easier for those with mobility impairments. Over the next few years, they plan to improve this technology for commercialization and mass production.

Graduate student Ava Lakmazaheri tested the exoskeleton combat boots and stated wearers might need to adapt to it first. “But, honestly, within the first 15 minutes of walking, it starts to feel quite natural. Walking with the exoskeletons quite literally feels like you have an extra spring in your step. It just really makes that next step so much easier,” she said. These robotic boots apply torque at the ankle, acting as calf muscles while boosting the walking speed. While taking a step, the boot pushes the wearer forward before lifting their feet. So this whole process is based on what’s being felt.

(Image Credit: Stanford University/YouTube)

After putting them on the first time, the boots’ system gives a different assistance pattern whenever the wearer walks. Measuring these motions allows the machine learning model to assist the person during their walks in the best way possible. New users only need to embark on an hour-long walk for the exoskeleton boot to customize accordingly. The team also calculated that walking with these boots feels very similar to removing a 13-kilo backpack on the shoulders.

People wearing these boots can walk 9% faster with “17% less energy expended per distance traveled, compared to walking in normal shoes. These are the largest improvements in the speed and energy of economy walking of any exoskeleton to date,” says Steve Collins, associate professor of mechanical engineering who leads the study. The team wants to explore using the robotic boots with older adults and those starting to experience mobility issues.

(Image Credit: Stanford University/YouTube)

They expect to create different designs for the boots to help users improve their balance and reduce joint pain. “I believe that over the next decade we’ll see these ideas of personalizing assistance and effective portable exoskeletons help many people overcome mobility challenges or maintain their ability to live active, independent, and meaningful lives,” says Patrick Slade, who worked on the exoskeleton as a Ph.D. student. Hopefully, commercial partners will realize the potential behind this technology and turn it into a product.