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Virginia Tech

Biomechanics-Based Optimization for Exoskeleton Design

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

The goal of this thesis is to use biomechanical data describing shoulder motion to determine optimal parameters to assist in the design of a 5 DOF active shoulder exoskeleton. This thesis will provide a proof of concept on optimization techniques using motion data using a simplified 3 DOF model to facilitate future work implementing a full 5 DOF model. Optimization will be performed to determine the link lengths and, consequently, the locations of the joints of the exoskeleton by considering the human's workspace to maximize range of motion and promote user safety by minimizing collisions of the exoskeleton with the user and with the exoskeleton itself. The thesis will detail the development of computational models of the human and proposed exoskeleton, the processing of experimental data used to estimate the human's capabilities, optimization, and future work. This work will contribute to a large-scale NSF-funded project of building an upper body exoskeleton emulator. The emulator will promote the widespread adoption of exoskeletons in industry by providing a test-bed to streamline the rapid design of various assistance profiles for various users and tasks.

Degree

thesis:*
Name thesis:degree_name
Master of Science
Level thesis:degree_level
masters
Discipline thesis:degree_discipline
Mechanical Engineering
Department dc:contributor.department
Mechanical Engineering
Grantor dc:publisher
Virginia Tech
Year dc:date.issued
2023

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Hook, Melanie Lynn
Chair dc:contributor.committeechair
  • Leonessa, Alexander
Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember
  • Kim, Sun Wook
  • Asbeck, Alan Thomas

Subjects

dc:subject × 3

Rights

dc:rights
Statement dc:rights
  • In Copyright
Language dc:language.iso
en

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
Dc Identifier Other
vt_gsexam:37477
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/115175

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
Virginia Tech
Base URL
vtechworks.lib.vt.edu/oai/request
Last updated
2026-07-22
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
citation

Hook, Melanie Lynn. Biomechanics-Based Optimization for Exoskeleton Design. masters thesis, Virginia Tech, 2023. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/115175