A Review of the Exoskeleton and Human Augmentation Technology

This paper is written for the plenary talk of 2008 ASME Dynamic Systems and Control Conference in Ann Arbor Michigan and gives an overview of the exoskeleton technology and human augmentation. Human-Robot integration outlines the future of robotics. The technology associated with exoskeleton systems and human power augmentation can be divided into lower extremity exoskeletons and upper extremity exoskeletons. The reason for this was two-fold; firstly, one could envision a great many applications for either a stand-alone lower or upper extremity exoskeleton in the immediate future. Secondly, and more importantly, the reason for the division is that it is unclear if an integrated upper extremity-lower extremity exoskeleton is a scientifically-valid concept in logistical operations (i.e., lifting and carrying heavy objects).