Team Members & Role:

Caroline Sanford: Team Lead

Maeve O’Connor: Analysis Lead

Dontano Rinaldi: Design Lead

Emily O’Brien: Fabrication Lead

Lorelei Kreig: Evaluation Lead

Abstract: The UMass Human-Robot Systems Lab (HRSL) aims to develop a method to reduce the energetic cost of running. The field has shown significant cost reductions using rigid exoskeletons, but only for slow speeds. To reduce the metabolic cost of running for elite runners, the HRSL requires a soft exosuit. Our team is responsible for designing and fabricating an exosuit capable of supporting the attachment of elastic material provided by the HRSL between a user’s torso and thighs. This will serve as a tool for the HRSL to use in future studies evaluating the energy reduction provided by their elastic to users. The team must ensure that both the exosuit and the method by which it is attached to the elastic material are lightweight, comfortable, adjustable, and secure during the cyclic loading while running. The suit prototype will help the HRSL to reduce the energetic cost of high-speed running.

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