Case Study: Vrije Universiteit Brussel advances robotic gait rehabilitation with Hexagon Adams

Adams simulations help research in robotic rehabilitation devices for gait abnormalities

Researchers at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel faced the challenge of developing a safe and effective robotic rehabilitation device for patients with gait abnormalities. To improve the physical human-robot interaction, their research required multibody dynamics simulations to model the system's complex behavior before building a physical prototype, ensuring safety and optimizing design. They turned to Hexagon and used its Adams multibody simulation software to address this challenge.

Hexagon's Adams software was used to create a detailed computational model of the robotic exoskeleton and a human body, which were then co-simulated. This solution provided crucial insights into the nonlinear behavior of the push-pull cable actuation system, allowing researchers to adjust control strategies and ensure the prototype met safety requirements. The simulation results directly impacted the design of the actuation system parameters, helping the team present a working concept for further research and development.

Vrije Universiteit Brussel

Svetlana Grosu

Researcher