Project 1:
Space exploration, especially on extraterrestrial lands such as the moon or Mars, will require astronauts to perform physically demanding tasks, including digging, collecting rocks, machine repairs, or even constructing permanent bases for human living. In such a harsh environment, any assistance to the astronauts in performing these tasks is of paramount value to the mission. This project aims to design and prototype a powered spacesuit that augments the wearer’s physical capabilities, thereby alleviating strain and chances of injury. Ideally, this powered suite will be designed as a standalone module that can be attached to the spacesuit as needed. Given that the spacesuit is a necessary life-supporting equipment, augmenting it for mobility assistance is a logical extension.
The student will be tasked with designing a lightweight and soft-actuated mechanism. A candidate for such a mechanism is a soft actuator located outside the suit which is powered using the internal pressure within the spacesuit. The project will be completed in three phases. Phase 1 will be the conceptual design and feasibility study of alternative mechanisms, including the mentioned one. Phase 2 involves the development of CAD models for the multi-degree-of-freedom actuators (for shoulders, elbows, and fingers). Finally, in phase 3, a prototype for a single joint (e.g. elbow) will be developed. Phase one can be completed in 3-5 weeks (5-6 hours/week). The completion of phases 2 and 3 will involve an iterative process, requiring 20-25 weeks.
The outcome of this research project is a novel design for a class of power-assist devices named “soft exosuits”, which is tailored to the specific needs of space exploration. In particular, the modular and detachable design of the powered mechanisms is novel, even among ground-based exoskeleton and powered suit systems. Therefore, in addition to the local capstone presentation, the prototyped system has the potential to be presented at flagship robotic, wearable systems, or aerospace conferences. A manuscript will also be drafted for publication in a robotic journal.