A Systematic Review of Locomotion Assistance Exoskeletons: Prototype Development and Technical Challenges
Exoskeletons can track the wearer’s movements in real time, thereby enhancing physical performance or restoring mobility for individuals with gait impairments. These wearable assistive devices have demonstrated significant potential in both rehabilitation and industrial applications. This review foc...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2025-02-01
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| Series: | Technologies |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7080/13/2/69 |
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| author | Weiqi Lin Hui Dong Yongzhuo Gao Wenda Wang Yi Long Long He Xiwang Mao Dongmei Wu Wei Dong |
| author_facet | Weiqi Lin Hui Dong Yongzhuo Gao Wenda Wang Yi Long Long He Xiwang Mao Dongmei Wu Wei Dong |
| author_sort | Weiqi Lin |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Exoskeletons can track the wearer’s movements in real time, thereby enhancing physical performance or restoring mobility for individuals with gait impairments. These wearable assistive devices have demonstrated significant potential in both rehabilitation and industrial applications. This review focuses on the major advancements in exoskeleton technology published since 2020, with particular emphasis on the development of structural designs for lower-limb exoskeletons employed in locomotion assistance. We employed a systematic literature review methodology, categorizing the included studies into three main types: rigid exoskeleton, soft exoskeleton, and tethered platform. The current development status of robotic exoskeletons is analyzed based on publication year, system weight, target assistive joints, and main effects. Furthermore, we examine the factors driving these advancements and their implications for the field. The key challenges and opportunities that may influence the future development of exoskeleton technologies are also highlighted in this review. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-7098a67b94d9496e9abda3294a11e1af |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2227-7080 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Technologies |
| spelling | doaj-art-7098a67b94d9496e9abda3294a11e1af2025-08-20T02:45:31ZengMDPI AGTechnologies2227-70802025-02-011326910.3390/technologies13020069A Systematic Review of Locomotion Assistance Exoskeletons: Prototype Development and Technical ChallengesWeiqi Lin0Hui Dong1Yongzhuo Gao2Wenda Wang3Yi Long4Long He5Xiwang Mao6Dongmei Wu7Wei Dong8State Key Laboratory of Robotics and System, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150001, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Robotics and System, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150001, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Robotics and System, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150001, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Robotics and System, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150001, ChinaFaculty of Robot Science and Engineering, Northeastern University, Foshan 528311, ChinaZhiyuan Research Institute, Hangzhou 310024, ChinaZhiyuan Research Institute, Hangzhou 310024, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Robotics and System, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150001, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Robotics and System, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150001, ChinaExoskeletons can track the wearer’s movements in real time, thereby enhancing physical performance or restoring mobility for individuals with gait impairments. These wearable assistive devices have demonstrated significant potential in both rehabilitation and industrial applications. This review focuses on the major advancements in exoskeleton technology published since 2020, with particular emphasis on the development of structural designs for lower-limb exoskeletons employed in locomotion assistance. We employed a systematic literature review methodology, categorizing the included studies into three main types: rigid exoskeleton, soft exoskeleton, and tethered platform. The current development status of robotic exoskeletons is analyzed based on publication year, system weight, target assistive joints, and main effects. Furthermore, we examine the factors driving these advancements and their implications for the field. The key challenges and opportunities that may influence the future development of exoskeleton technologies are also highlighted in this review.https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7080/13/2/69exoskeletonexosuitlocomotion assistancewearable robot |
| spellingShingle | Weiqi Lin Hui Dong Yongzhuo Gao Wenda Wang Yi Long Long He Xiwang Mao Dongmei Wu Wei Dong A Systematic Review of Locomotion Assistance Exoskeletons: Prototype Development and Technical Challenges Technologies exoskeleton exosuit locomotion assistance wearable robot |
| title | A Systematic Review of Locomotion Assistance Exoskeletons: Prototype Development and Technical Challenges |
| title_full | A Systematic Review of Locomotion Assistance Exoskeletons: Prototype Development and Technical Challenges |
| title_fullStr | A Systematic Review of Locomotion Assistance Exoskeletons: Prototype Development and Technical Challenges |
| title_full_unstemmed | A Systematic Review of Locomotion Assistance Exoskeletons: Prototype Development and Technical Challenges |
| title_short | A Systematic Review of Locomotion Assistance Exoskeletons: Prototype Development and Technical Challenges |
| title_sort | systematic review of locomotion assistance exoskeletons prototype development and technical challenges |
| topic | exoskeleton exosuit locomotion assistance wearable robot |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7080/13/2/69 |
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