Smart hip exoskeleton that adapts quickly to many users and everyday walking
AI-driven hip exoskeleton control framework that rapidly generalizes to a broad range of users and real-world locomotor tasks
A smart hip exoskeleton control system for adults with walking difficulties that quickly adapts to different users and everyday walking situations.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Carnegie-Mellon University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11267995 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project is building an AI-based control system for a hip-worn exoskeleton that personalizes itself rapidly to each wearer so it can help during real-world walking. The team aims to remove hours of expert tuning by using algorithms and wearable sensors so the device works across many body types and movement patterns. Researchers will test the system with diverse adult users, including older adults, during a range of walking tasks in lab and community settings. The goal is a practical, easy-to-use device that supports safer and more independent walking in daily life.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are adults, especially older adults, who have difficulty walking or who want assistance with community ambulation and can attend in-person testing visits.
Not a fit: People without walking impairment or those with medical conditions that make exoskeleton use unsafe (for example uncontrolled cardiovascular disease or unstable fractures) are unlikely to benefit from participating.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could make wearable exoskeletons easier to use and help people with walking difficulty move more independently in daily life.
How similar studies have performed: Previous exoskeleton research has shown benefit in controlled lab settings but current controllers often need expert tuning, so rapidly generalizing control to real-world users remains relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
Pittsburgh, United States
- Carnegie-Mellon University — Pittsburgh, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kang, Inseung — Carnegie-Mellon University
- Study coordinator: Kang, Inseung
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.