Exploring the Influence of a Passive Exoskeleton on Range of Motion and Step Length During Walking

In recent years, commercial exoskeletons have seen widespread use across various industrial processes, offering assistance in tasks that are physically demanding for humans. While exoskeletons enhance task performance, it's crucial to understand their impact during periods of non-task activities, such as walking between workstations. This study utilized IMU sensors to investigate potential differences in gait dynamics when individuals walk with and without exoskeleton assistance. Our research reveals notable discrepancies in both range of motion (ROM) and step length when individuals employ exoskeletons during non-task-related walking. These disparities were investigated through the extraction of gait joint angles' features and the application of classification algorithms.