Share this page!

Enter URL or ID to Unroll

You can paste full URL like: https://x.com/threadreaderapp/status/1644127596119195649
or just the ID like: 1644127596119195649

How to get URL link on X (Twitter) App

  1. On the Twitter thread, click on or icon on the bottom
  2. Click again on or Share Via icon
  3. Click on Copy Link to Tweet
  4. Paste it above and click "Unroll Thread"!
  5. More info at Twitter Help
Karl Zelik Profile picture
@KarlZelik
Mar 18, 2019 • 9 tweets • 7 min read • Read on X
The latest chapter in our quest to create assistive #exoskeletons #exosuits #mechanizedclothing that can integrate seamlessly into daily life & be concealed under everyday clothing. 1/n #ExoskeletonsForEveryone
@MatthewYandell @Joshuatacca @ExoskeletonRep
ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/86673… Image
We were inspired by the assistive ankle exoskeleton made by @gregory_sawicki & @StevenHCollins. We loved that it was lightweight & unpowered. But we really wanted a version that could be inconspicuous, both audibly & visually (fit under pants without protruding elements). 2/n
To accomplish this we invented a new under-the-foot friction clutch mechanism that is low-profile (5 mm tall), quiet & unmotorized. It uses the person's own body weight for the clutching function, enabling it to operate across various gait speeds, for walking & also running. 3/n Image
We then used a spring acting in parallel with the calf muscles to couple this under-the-foot clutch to a soft conformal shank interface, which is functionally similar to calf wraps used by @walshharvard & others in powered robotic exosuits. 4/n Image
We tried to blend all the design aspects we love about previous #exoskeletons & #exosuits with all the things we love about everyday clothing/footwear. Basically we're a bunch of adults still dreaming about transforming ourselves into superheroes & we want our own supersuits! 5/n
We created a prototype that is low profile, lightweight, quiet, low cost to manufacture, intrinsically adapts to different gait speeds & doesnt restrict non-sagittal ankle motion; while still providing assistive ankle torque that can reduce demands on biological calf muscles. 6/n
In this paper we present out new device design, along with results from bench top tests using a @humotech actuation system to characterize holding force of the friction clutch, and two #biomechanics gait analysis case studies to confirm the prototype works! 7/n
Our design highlights the potential for performance-enhancing #exoskeletons that are inconspicuous, unobtrusive & can benefit a broad range of people; for instance by reducing fatigue in industrial or recreational users, or assisting people with impaired calf muscle strength. 8/n
Excited to share this & other updates on our research & development of spring-powered exosuits (aka mechanized clothing) at #WearRAcon19 next week! 9/9
@wearablerobots #Biomechanics #EverydaySuperheroes #WheresMySupersuit

• • •

Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to force a refresh
　

Keep Current with Karl Zelik

Karl Zelik Profile picture

Stay in touch and get notified when new unrolls are available from this author!

Read all threads

This Thread may be Removed Anytime!

PDF

Twitter may remove this content at anytime! Save it as PDF for later use!

Try unrolling a thread yourself!

how to unroll video
  1. Follow @ThreadReaderApp to mention us!

  2. From a Twitter thread mention us with a keyword "unroll"
@threadreaderapp unroll

Practice here first or read more on our help page!

More from @KarlZelik

Karl Zelik Profile picture
Jun 3, 2023
Exoskeletons in construction:

Nice article posted to the Associated Builders & Contractors of Wisconsin website & co-written by Prof. Zhenhua Zhu from UW-Madison & Mariya Sorenson, a construction manager with M.A. Mortenson.

They highlight 3 potential broad impacts of exos: Image
1. Improving worker safety & fostering a better safety culture in the construction industry.

Exoskeletons can reduce fatigue, muscle strain & wear-and-tear injuries, which could lead to substantial cost savings.
2. Alleviating the shortage of skilled construction workers.

Exoskeletons could help extend careers & attract candidates who might otherwise be deterred by physically demanding jobs.
Read 7 tweets
Karl Zelik Profile picture
May 31, 2023
🚀 5 years ago, I stumbled—somewhat unexpectedly—into the world of tech translation, commercialization & startups. It's been a wild & enriching adventure!

👨🏾‍🔬 As a scientist-turned-entrepreneur, this journey opened my eyes to the business world.

But...
😡 Amidst all the positive learning & growth, there's one thing that truly gets under my skin: misleading marketing & unsubstantiated claims.
😬 Brace yourself: The wearable & assistive tech industry (think #exoskeletons, #prosthetics, sensors) is still plagued by this problem! Whether it's in clinical, occupational, sport, or recreational applications, we need to address it head-on.

Now...
Read 11 tweets
Karl Zelik Profile picture
Nov 16, 2022
I spend a lot of time thinking about & discussing the science of #exoskeletons.

3 years ago, the single most common question I heard was:

❓Do exoskeletons cause muscle atrophy?

Short answer: No.

But I don't hear this as often anymore.

I believe there are 2 reasons why👇🏽
1️⃣ Science Communication

• For a long time, exo engineers/scientists mostly spoke to each other

• But now a broader audience is interested in exo tech

• And more researchers/developers are engaging in public discourse

This is helping reduce exo myths & misconceptions 👏🏽 🎉
If you want a quick rundown on:

• what causes atrophy (muscle weakening/wasting)

• why exos are more likely to prevent atrophy than to induce it

Then check out this thread:
Read 7 tweets
Karl Zelik Profile picture
Nov 15, 2022
Where do your research ideas originate from?

I used to source all of mine from academic literature & conferences, or from my own research.

But these can become echo chambers that limit thinking & creativity.

🔥 Here are 4 overlooked places to find impactful research problems:
1️⃣ Your own life

• This is why I started studying low back #biomechanics
• I was a parent to young kids & experiencing back pain
• I was curious if we could create more practical exoskeletons that'd fit into my own life

It started as an undergrad project then grew into more:
2️⃣ Spending time w/ users

• In academia we often talk about this
• But we tend to involve users too late in R&D
• And I'm not convinced we spend enough time doing it

Hearing pain points directly from #prosthetics users is what prompted the daily activities we now study:
Read 6 tweets
Karl Zelik Profile picture
Oct 15, 2022
Science is the foundation, but user feedback is the north star:

• to know what to prioritize
• to learn where to improve
• to remember why you sweat all the science details

This is a vital lesson for those doing applied research whose feedback is mostly from other scientists
The combination of #biomechanics science and user-centric design is beginning to have the real-world impact the occupational #exoskeleton field long hypothesized it would.

End-users explain this best:
“When you show you care about people, that retains people,” one warehouse worker who piloted a back exosuit said. “Everybody in here, we’re all sore. We’re all hurting. But for the first time in a long time I won’t be hurting walking out of this building [because of the exosuit]”
Read 4 tweets
Karl Zelik Profile picture
Oct 14, 2022
Early career researchers often stress out when they talk to more senior faculty about how many grant proposals they submit.
 
Don't compare. Focus on your writing process. Outcomes will follow.
 
Here are 5 proven tricks senior faculty use to submit more high-quality proposals:🧵
1. Resubmitting

• Revise/resubmit an unfunded proposal
• This takes much less time than writing a new application

This is easier to do (and comes naturally) as you get further into your career.
2. Repurposing

• Take a similar core idea and apply it to a new population or context
• Or you can sometimes submit the same proposal to multiple agencies (check w/ program officers first; you just can't accept two grants for the same work)

This helps get more shots on goal.
Read 7 tweets

Did Thread Reader help you today?

Support us! We are indie developers!

This site is made by just two indie developers on a laptop doing marketing, support and development! Read more about the story.

Become a Premium Member ($3/month or $30/year) and get exclusive features!

Become Premium

Don't want to be a Premium member but still want to support us?

Make a small donation by buying us coffee ($5) or help with server cost ($10)

Donate via Paypal

Or Donate anonymously using crypto!

Ethereum

0xfe58350B80634f60Fa6Dc149a72b4DFbc17D341E copy

Bitcoin

3ATGMxNzCUFzxpMCHL5sWSt4DVtS8UqXpi copy

Thank you for your support!

Follow Us!

Send Email!

:(