Active Gait Retraining with Lower Limb Exoskeleton Based on Robust Force Control

This article addresses the design of a robust inner and outer loop controller for active gait retraining in individuals with leg motor weakness, using a lower limb exoskeleton with elastic joints. The proposed control algorithm for the inner loop is based on a robust force controller that considers...

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Main Authors: Yukio Rosales-Luengas, Sergio Salazar, Saúl J. Rangel-Popoca, Yahel Cortés-García, Jonathan Flores, Rogelio Lozano
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-04-01
Series:Applied Sciences
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/7/4032
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author Yukio Rosales-Luengas
Sergio Salazar
Saúl J. Rangel-Popoca
Yahel Cortés-García
Jonathan Flores
Rogelio Lozano
author_facet Yukio Rosales-Luengas
Sergio Salazar
Saúl J. Rangel-Popoca
Yahel Cortés-García
Jonathan Flores
Rogelio Lozano
author_sort Yukio Rosales-Luengas
collection DOAJ
description This article addresses the design of a robust inner and outer loop controller for active gait retraining in individuals with leg motor weakness, using a lower limb exoskeleton with elastic joints. The proposed control algorithm for the inner loop is based on a robust force controller that considers dynamics in the sagittal plane, accounting for human and external perturbations. For the outer loop, a robust controller is proposed to ensure the tracking of the desired trajectories. Lyapunov candidate functions are used to demonstrate the stability of the closed-loop system. To validate the proposed algorithmic approach, numerical simulations and experimental tests are developed. The experimental results show excellent performance, even in the presence of external perturbations and opposing human reactions; the tracking error is minimal (MAE ≤ 0.0661 rad).
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series Applied Sciences
spelling doaj-art-d6fd0015c1ea4777b8d8c2ed08ee99fc2025-08-20T02:09:13ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172025-04-01157403210.3390/app15074032Active Gait Retraining with Lower Limb Exoskeleton Based on Robust Force ControlYukio Rosales-Luengas0Sergio Salazar1Saúl J. Rangel-Popoca2Yahel Cortés-García3Jonathan Flores4Rogelio Lozano5Department of Research and Multidisciplinary Studies, Center for Research and Advanced Studies of the National Polytechnic Institute, Mexico City 07360, MexicoDepartment of Research and Multidisciplinary Studies, Center for Research and Advanced Studies of the National Polytechnic Institute, Mexico City 07360, MexicoDepartment of Research and Multidisciplinary Studies, Center for Research and Advanced Studies of the National Polytechnic Institute, Mexico City 07360, MexicoDepartment of Research and Multidisciplinary Studies, Center for Research and Advanced Studies of the National Polytechnic Institute, Mexico City 07360, MexicoDepartment of Research and Multidisciplinary Studies, Center for Research and Advanced Studies of the National Polytechnic Institute, Mexico City 07360, MexicoDepartment of Research and Multidisciplinary Studies, Center for Research and Advanced Studies of the National Polytechnic Institute, Mexico City 07360, MexicoThis article addresses the design of a robust inner and outer loop controller for active gait retraining in individuals with leg motor weakness, using a lower limb exoskeleton with elastic joints. The proposed control algorithm for the inner loop is based on a robust force controller that considers dynamics in the sagittal plane, accounting for human and external perturbations. For the outer loop, a robust controller is proposed to ensure the tracking of the desired trajectories. Lyapunov candidate functions are used to demonstrate the stability of the closed-loop system. To validate the proposed algorithmic approach, numerical simulations and experimental tests are developed. The experimental results show excellent performance, even in the presence of external perturbations and opposing human reactions; the tracking error is minimal (MAE ≤ 0.0661 rad).https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/7/4032robust force controllersliding mode controlgait retraininglower limb exoskeleton
spellingShingle Yukio Rosales-Luengas
Sergio Salazar
Saúl J. Rangel-Popoca
Yahel Cortés-García
Jonathan Flores
Rogelio Lozano
Active Gait Retraining with Lower Limb Exoskeleton Based on Robust Force Control
Applied Sciences
robust force controller
sliding mode control
gait retraining
lower limb exoskeleton
title Active Gait Retraining with Lower Limb Exoskeleton Based on Robust Force Control
title_full Active Gait Retraining with Lower Limb Exoskeleton Based on Robust Force Control
title_fullStr Active Gait Retraining with Lower Limb Exoskeleton Based on Robust Force Control
title_full_unstemmed Active Gait Retraining with Lower Limb Exoskeleton Based on Robust Force Control
title_short Active Gait Retraining with Lower Limb Exoskeleton Based on Robust Force Control
title_sort active gait retraining with lower limb exoskeleton based on robust force control
topic robust force controller
sliding mode control
gait retraining
lower limb exoskeleton
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/7/4032
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AT yahelcortesgarcia activegaitretrainingwithlowerlimbexoskeletonbasedonrobustforcecontrol
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