DESCRIPTION

People suffering of muscle degeneration or physical impairment could benefit from exoskeletons and supernumerary robotic limbs to assist them daily. Portable robots could also increase the functional capabilities and safety of workers. However, designing lightweight, compact and useful portable robots is still a major challenge. Indeed, current actuators are too heavy and cumbersome to fit the force, speed and transparency requirements of most applications.

Variable transmissions are often used to extend the operating zone of an actuator while reducing the power requirements of the engine.  In robotics, few studies were done regarding the potential of variable transmissions.

The goal of this project is to investigate variable transmissions of hydrostatic actuators to reduce the weight and increase the versatility of portable robots. Various hydraulic configurations and components will be tested to achieve hybrid modes: active, passive, strong, fast or powerful. By the end, this technology could increase the physical capabilities of workers.