LOWER LIMB EXOSKELETONS: BRIEF REVIEW

The paper provides a brief review on structural and technological features of Lower Limb Exoskeletons that have been manufactured until recently and the description of their disadvantages.  Exoskeleton is a device designed to compensate for the lost functions of a human operator by increasing muscle strength and expanding movement amplitude with its outer frame and driving parts. Lower Limb Exoskeletons are developed to support people who have partially or completely lost lower limbs dynamics. The research and development background dates back to 1960s. Over the years, great progress has been made by scientists and researchers from all around the world. However, despite various strategies and attempts to achieve perfection in operating an exoskeleton in the current state of science and technology, it is still a challenge to develop an auxiliary model that endows with both super-efficiency and naturalness. Consequently, the paper intends to highlight the problems to be resolved and the future trends in this field. Exoskeletons have been limited in their availability for wider application by general population because of their high cost. Moreover, technological and structural issues related to design, safety, framework deterioration and optimization remain open-ended. As a technological breakthrough is an evolving process, this review can assist in conducting current research and making recommendations for perspective developments in the field of Lower Limb Exoskeletons.

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