Falling over in spacesuits: MIT shows robotic stand-up aid for astronauts
Astronauts can stumble and fall over more easily when gravity is low. A robotic standing aid from MIT is designed to help them stand up.
The astronaut's rucksack contains two robotic arms that can support him.
(Image: MIT (Screenshot))
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), with the support of NASA, has tackled a special problem: How can an astronaut get back on his feet if he has fallen in his bulky spacesuit, for example on the moon?
"Astronauts are physically very capable, but on the moon, where gravity is only a sixth of what it is on Earth, they have to contend with the same inertia. In addition, wearing a spacesuit is a great burden and can restrict their freedom of movement," says Harry Asada, Professor of Mechanical Engineering at MIT. "We want to offer astronauts a safe way to get back on their feet if they fall," he says, outlining the problem.
To this end, the researchers initially built on an older system with a pair of wearable robotic limbs. This older version was intended to support the astronaut physically in his spacesuit so that he could get back on his feet. The system, known as Supernumerary Robotic Limbs (SperLimbs), protrudes from the backpack, which also houses the life support system. The backpack also contains the control unit and the motors for the artificial limbs.
The researchers tested the system with volunteers who can physically wear an extremely tight-fitting spacesuit similar to those worn by astronauts. The test subjects were then asked to stand up from a sitting or lying position with the help of the SuperLimbs. They managed to do this with the system with significantly less effort than without.
Extended SuperLimbs
In their more recent investigations, which the scientists plan to present at the IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation (ICRA 2024), they refined the system. To this end, the research team developed software that generates a trajectory for a robotic arm attached to the backpack, which the robot has to follow if it falls over to support the astronaut and get them back on their feet. Tests with test subjects showed that they were able to stand up again more easily from the supine and thoracic positions and from a lateral position. The robot also makes it possible to stabilize the test subjects better in their bulky suits when standing than without the system.
"It feels like an extra force moving with you," says Erik Ballesteros, MIT PhD student who tested the suit and arm support. "Imagine you're wearing a backpack and someone grabs you at the top and kind of pulls you up. Over time, it becomes quite natural."
Empfohlener redaktioneller Inhalt
Mit Ihrer Zustimmmung wird hier ein externes YouTube-Video (Google Ireland Limited) geladen.
Ich bin damit einverstanden, dass mir externe Inhalte angezeigt werden. Damit können personenbezogene Daten an Drittplattformen (Google Ireland Limited) übermittelt werden. Mehr dazu in unserer Datenschutzerklärung.
The scientists now want to combine the system with a revised version of the SuperLimbs. It will then consist of two multi-jointed robotic arms that can be extended from a rucksack. The motors and batteries are located in the backpack.
The development of the robotic arms and the design optimization were carried out with the help of artificial intelligence (AI). "We filtered through many designs and looked for the design that uses the least amount of energy to lift a person. This version of SuperLimbs is the result of that process."
The system will be developed and optimized at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory this summer, Ballestros promises. Particularly lightweight materials will also be used. The finished stand-up aid will then be tested in simulators under low gravity. The aim is to use it on future missions to the moon or Mars.
(olb)