This paper proposes a computational approach for generation of reference path
for upper-limb exoskeletons considering the scapulohumeral rhythms of the
shoulder. The proposed method can be used in upper-limb exoskeletons with 3
Degrees of Freedom (DoF) in shoulder and 1 DoF in elbow, which are capable of
supporting shoulder girdle. The developed computational method is based on
Central Nervous System (CNS) governing rules. Existing computational reference
generation methods are based on the assumption of fixed shoulder center during
motions. This assumption can be considered valid for reaching movements with
limited range of motion (RoM). However, most upper limb motions such as
Activities of Daily Living (ADL) include large scale inward and outward
reaching motions, during which the center of shoulder joint moves
significantly. The proposed method generates the reference motion based on a
simple model of human arm and a transformation can be used to map the developed
motion for other exoskeleton with different kinematics. Comparison of the model
outputs with experimental results of healthy subjects performing ADL, show that
the proposed model is able to reproduce human-like motions.Comment: In 2017 IEEE International Symposium on Wearable & Rehabilitation
Robotics (WeRob2017