Continuous Phase Estimation in a Variety of Locomotion Modes Using Adaptive Dynamic Movement Primitives

IEEE Int Conf Rehabil Robot. 2023 Sep:2023:1-6. doi: 10.1109/ICORR58425.2023.10304682.

Abstract

Accurate gait phase estimation algorithms can be used to synchronize the action of wearable robots to the volitional user movements in real time. Current-day gait phase estimation methods are designed mostly for rhythmic tasks and evaluated in highly controlled walking environments (namely, steady-state walking). Here, we implemented adaptive Dynamic Movement Primitives (aDMP) for continuous real-time phase estimation in the most common locomotion activities of daily living, which are level-ground walking, stair negotiation, and ramp negotiation. The proposed method uses the thigh roll angle and foot-contact information and was tested in real time with five subjects. The estimated phase resulted in an average root-mean-square error of 3.98% ± 1.33% and a final estimation error of 0.60% ± 0.55% with respect to the linear phase. The results of this study constitute a viable groundwork for future phase-based control strategies for lower-limb wearable robots, such as robotic prostheses or exoskeletons.

MeSH terms

  • Activities of Daily Living*
  • Biomechanical Phenomena
  • Gait
  • Humans
  • Locomotion*
  • Lower Extremity
  • Walking