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Neuroprosthetic technology and robotic exoskeletons are being developed to facilitate stepping, reduce muscle efforts, and promote motor recovery. Nevertheless, the guidance forces of an exoskeleton may influence the sensory inputs, sensorimotor interactions and resulting muscle activity patterns during stepping. The aim of this study was to report the muscle activation patterns in a sample of intact and injured subjects while walking with a robotic exoskeleton and, in particular, to quantify the level of muscle activity during assisted gait. We recorded electromyographic (EMG) activity of different leg and arm muscles during overground walking in an exoskeleton in six healthy individuals and four spinal cord injury (SCI) participants. In SCI patients, EMG activity of the upper limb muscles was augmented while activation of leg muscles was typically small. Contrary to our expectations, however, in neurologically intact subjects, EMG activity of leg muscles was similar or even larger during exoskeleton-assisted walking compared to normal overground walking. In addition, significant variations in the EMG waveforms were found across different walking conditions. The most variable pattern was observed in the hamstring muscles. Overall, the results are consistent with a non-linear reorganization of the locomotor output when using the robotic stepping devices. The findings may contribute to our understanding of human-machine interactions and adaptation of locomotor activity patterns., Biomechanical Engineering, Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering

Neuroprosthetic technology and robotic exoskeletons are being developed to facilitate stepping, reduce muscle efforts, and promote motor recovery. Nevertheless, the guidance forces of an exoskeleton may influence the sensory inputs, sensorimotor interactions and resulting muscle activity patterns during stepping. The aim of this study was to report the muscle activation patterns in a sample of intact and injured subjects while walking with a robotic exoskeleton and, in particular, to quantify the level of muscle activity during assisted gait. We recorded electromyographic (EMG) activity of different leg and arm muscles during overground walking in an exoskeleton in six healthy individuals and four spinal cord injury (SCI) participants. In SCI patients, EMG activity of the upper limb muscles was augmented while activation of leg muscles was typically small. Contrary to our expectations, however, in neurologically intact subjects, EMG activity of leg muscles was similar or even larger during exoskeleton-assisted walking compared to normal overground walking. In addition, significant variations in the EMG waveforms were found across different walking conditions. The most variable pattern was observed in the hamstring muscles. Overall, the results are consistent with a non-linear reorganization of the locomotor output when using the robotic stepping devices. The findings may contribute to our understanding of human-machine interactions and adaptation of locomotor activity patterns., Biomechanical Engineering, Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering

In the event of an emergency due to a fire or other crisis, a necessary but time consuming pre-requisite, that could delay the real rescue operation, is to establish whether the ground or area can be entered safely by human emergency workers. The objective of the VIEW-FINDER project is to develop robots which have the primary task of gathering data. The robots are equipped with sensors that detect the presence of chemicals and, in parallel, image data is collected and forwarded to an advanced Control station (COC). The robots will be equipped with a wide array of chemical sensors, on-board cameras, Laser and other sensors to enhance scene understanding and reconstruction. At the Base Station (BS) the data is processed and combined with geographical information originating from a web of sources; thus providing the personnel leading the operation with in-situ processed data that can improve decision making. This paper will focus on the Crisis Management Information System that has been developed for improving a Disaster Management Action Plan and for linking the Control Station with a out-site Crisis Management Centre, and on the software tools implemented on the mobile robot gathering data in the outdoor area of the crisis., QC 20111213, Vision and Chemiresistor Equipped Web-connected Finding Robots (View-Finder), FP6-IST-2006-045541

We present the latest iteration of the Lunar Volatiles Scout (LVS), a novel instrument to access and characterise lunar volatiles insitu. The LVS is currently being developed in a cooperation between Technical University of Munich (TUM) and OHB System as part of the Lunar Volatiles Mobile Instrument (LUVMI)study, conducted in the frame of the EU Horizon 2020 initiative and led by the Belgian company Space Applications Services. LUVMI aims to develop a comprehensive light-weight(20-40 kg)rover for investigations on volatiles in and around permanently shadowed regions on the Moon. The platform is envisioned as a possible secondary payload to one of the currently planned missions to the lunar poles. It features an active chassis with four independently steerable wheels, an innovative light-field camera, the Volatiles Sampler (represented by the LVS), and the Volatiles Analyser (miniature mass spectrometer).

We present the latest iteration of the Lunar Volatiles Scout (LVS), a novel instrument to access and characterise lunar volatiles insitu. The LVS is currently being developed in a cooperation between Technical University of Munich (TUM) and OHB System as part of the Lunar Volatiles Mobile Instrument (LUVMI)study, conducted in the frame of the EU Horizon 2020 initiative and led by the Belgian company Space Applications Services. LUVMI aims to develop a comprehensive light-weight(20-40 kg)rover for investigations on volatiles in and around permanently shadowed regions on the Moon. The platform is envisioned as a possible secondary payload to one of the currently planned missions to the lunar poles. It features an active chassis with four independently steerable wheels, an innovative light-field camera, the Volatiles Sampler (represented by the LVS), and the Volatiles Analyser (miniature mass spectrometer).