The prevailing control strategy in gait rehabilitation robotics is to enforce predefined motion patterns observed In human locomotion. Although this approach can restore steady human walking In well-defined environments, it does not equip the human-robot system with the functional dexterity that distinguishes legged mobility In natural unstructured environments. To overcome this fundamental limitation, the longterm objectives of the proposed work are to uncover the functional principles behind the biomechanical design and neuromuscular control of human legs In locomotion across gaits, and to transfer these principles to the design and control of powered leg prostheses and exoskeletons that restore or enhance the physical capabilities of Individuals who need locomotion assistance. The first specific aim In this application is to understand the biomechanics and neuromuscular control of the key leg behaviors of active balance recovery after large disturbances, continuous speed changes, combined walking and running, and gait transitions. The second specific aim Is to demonstrate and verify the advantages of the extracted principles to the control and dexterity of powered robotic legs.
These aims will be addressed by deriving theoretical and computational models of neuromuscular control In human locomotion, and by developing a robotic leg testbed that replicates the actuation and dynamics of human and prosthetic legs and allows to rigorously characterize proposed leg designs and controls. The proposed work will help to reverse-engineer the sensorimotor control of human locomotion and has the potential to result In assistive technology that restores or enhances the physical capabilities of elderly people, patients, and amputees. Both directions can create a broad Impact on society, with particular benefits in public health care. The project directly relates to the NICHD research priority on medical rehabilitation for developing the scientific and technical knowledge needed to enhance health, productivity, Independence, and quality-of-life for people with disabilities.

Public Health Relevance

Today, in the US alone, 1 million people have amputated legs and 9 million people suffer from damaged or lost sensorimotor functions of their legs. These numbers are expected to rise sharply in the coming decades due to a rising diabetes epidemic and an aging population. The proposed research seeks to advance the science and technology that enables robotic legs to assist, restore or replace damaged or lost leg functions.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development (NICHD)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01HD075492-03
Application #
8698649
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZEB1)
Program Officer
Quatrano, Louis A
Project Start
2012-07-01
Project End
2016-06-30
Budget Start
2014-07-01
Budget End
2015-06-30
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
2014
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Carnegie-Mellon University
Department
Miscellaneous
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
City
Pittsburgh
State
PA
Country
United States
Zip Code
15213
Thatte, Nitish; Geyer, Hartmut (2016) Toward Balance Recovery With Leg Prostheses Using Neuromuscular Model Control. IEEE Trans Biomed Eng 63:904-913
Song, Seungmoon; Geyer, Hartmut (2015) A neural circuitry that emphasizes spinal feedback generates diverse behaviours of human locomotion. J Physiol 593:3493-511
Song, Seungmoon; Desai, Ruta; Geyer, Hartmut (2013) Integration of an adaptive swing control into a neuromuscular human walking model. Conf Proc IEEE Eng Med Biol Soc 2013:4915-8