‘exoskeleton’
Humans could run 50% faster with bicycle-inspired exoskeleton
Apr. 8, 2020—Runners could soon keep up with cyclists, thanks to a new invention from a team of mechanical engineers at Vanderbilt. The invention, an exoskeleton worn on the legs, would bring cycling mechanics to the human body and enable people to run nearly 1.5 times as fast — approaching top cycling speeds. The study with the...
National Biomechanics Day draws 370+ visitors to assistive tech labs
Apr. 15, 2019—The Vanderbilt group organizing National Biomechanics Day event this year added video scripting and production to its skillset. The group of graduate students and undergraduates spent three months planning demonstrations, contacting schools and creating their two-minute promotional video, which won the award from the International Society for Biomechanics for the most retweeted video. The video, “Biomechanics...
New low-profile ankle exoskeleton fits under clothes for potential broad adoption
Mar. 21, 2019—A new lightweight, low-profile and inexpensive ankle exoskeleton could be widely used among elderly people, those with impaired lower-leg muscle strength and workers whose jobs require substantial walking or running. Developed by Vanderbilt mechanical engineers, the device is believed to be the first ankle exoskeleton that could be worn under clothes without restricting motion. It...
Exoskeleton developed at Vanderbilt University collects R&D 100 Award
Nov. 28, 2018—by Heidi Hall Nov. 28, 2018, 3:38 PM The Indego exoskeleton developed at Vanderbilt University picked up an R&D 100 Award at the Nov. 16 ceremony held in Orlando, Fla. Co-inventors Michael Goldfarb, H. Fort Flowers Professor of Mechanical Engineering, and Ryan Farris, a Vanderbilt alumnus and engineering manager at Parker Hannifin Corporation, accepted the...
CREATE labs recognized for impact of National Biomechanics Day event
Jun. 28, 2018—For the second year, the School of Engineering’s biomechanics and assistive rehabilitation labs have received top honors for an event that introduces young students to a dynamic field that includes exoskeletons, sports and prosthetics. Vanderbilt had one of three events recognized for “Greatest Impact” among the 150 held across the globe to mark National Biomechanics...
Class of 2018 Profile: Josh Fleck, ME major, empowers people with disabilities
May. 7, 2018—a high school student in Bradenton, Florida, Josh Fleck knew he wanted to research and develop robotic prosthetic devices. At the time, however, he had no concept of what that research looked like. He’s more than resolved the mystery. Fleck, a mechanical engineering major, has spent the past three years working with Vanderbilt Assistant Professor Karl Zelik...
Zelik receives two major young investigator awards for biomechanics work
Jun. 15, 2017—Karl Zelik, an assistant professor of mechanical engineering, has received top awards from the International Society of Biomechanics and the American Society of Biomechanics for early career research. Both awards recognize Zelik’s body of work on improving and unifying the understanding of human locomotion, and translating this understanding to advances in prosthetic and exoskeleton technologies....
Understanding robotic exosuit-human interaction will boost health and performance
Jun. 1, 2017—Team led by Vanderbilt researchers develops new, quicker method to measure energy transfer between assistive devices and people wearing them That robotic exoskeletons can improve mobility of people with disabilities and enhance human performance is widely understood. The same has not yet been true for how to best measure and optimize the interactions between individuals...