User-Centered Design of a Passive, Multi-Functional, Low-Cost Knee Exoskeleton (CHI'26)

Описание: "Towards Accessible Mobility Support: User-Centered Design of a
Passive, Multi-Functional, Low-Cost Knee Exoskeleton" is a research project by the Human-Computer Interaction Institute at Carnegie Mellon University.

Authors: Yuyu Lin, Yujia Liu, Emma Kim, Alexandra Ion
Published in Proceedings of ACM CHI 2026.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1145/3772318.3791886
URL: https://interactive-structures.org/pu...

//Abstract
Walking aids are critical for people with mobility impairments,
yet current options remain unsatisfactory. Static knee braces are
lightweight and affordable, but their rigid joints force users into
unnatural gait patterns, leading to fatigue, reduced safety, and high
abandonment rates. Robotic exoskeletons, in contrast, offer dynamic
assistance that adapts to gait phases but rely on sensors, motors,
and batteries that make them heavy, complex, and prohibitively
expensive.
In this paper, we propose a fully passive knee exoskeleton design
that combines the accessibility of static braces with the adaptive
functionality of robotic systems. Our design employs a mechanical
trigger under the foot to lock and release the knee joint in sync with the gait cycle, enabling more natural walking without electronics
or actuation. Using human-centered methods, we conducted interviews
with clinicians and orthosis users to guide our design and
evaluated an early prototype as a design probe with stakeholders.

// creative commons attribution
Music credit: The Way To You by Sapajou