The design of Project MARCH's new exoskeleton has been presented. The exoskeleton enables people with spinal cord injury to stand up and walk. The new model comes with new features, including the ability to take side steps. With this, Project MARCH aims to give users more freedom.
Project MARCH is a non-profit organisation set up within which TU Delft students work on an exoskeleton. Every year, a new team from TU Delft takes on the challenge of improving the project's existing prototype, for which involved students put their studies on hold for a year. For this, the students are advised by former Project MARCH teams, who share their knowledge and experience about the exoskeleton.
Innovate
The focus within Project MARCH is on innovation, with the team focusing on improving usability and fine motor skills for everyday use. Project MARCH is a non-profit organisation. This non-commercial setting combined with the project's annual cycle helps it innovate quickly, according to the organisation.
Project MARCH III, the project's third-generation exoskeleton, was unveiled last year. The design of this generation focused mainly on everyday usability and user-friendliness. Features of the suit included an active ankle, an initial base for a balance mechanism, variable step size and additional support points to combat pressure sores (bedsores).
Taking sideways steps
Project March IV builds on the design of Project MARCH III. The new design includes new elements that allow the exoskeleton to respond to its environment and give the user more freedom of movement. For example, a new hip joint has been developed that allows users to take not only a forward step, but also a side step. This allows users to stand more stably with two feet on the ground.
Balance is also an important focus of the project and the new design. For example, a key desire of users is to be able to walk without crutches in the long term, something that is not currently possible. The new design incorporates pressure sensors in the sole of the foot of the new exoskeleton. These sensors collect data that is used to research ways to improve the balance of the exoskeleton.
The new design of Project MARCH IV (source photo: Project MARCH)
Improve usability
User-friendliness is also a key focus, with the focus being on the weight and size of the exoskeleton. The team tested a variety of materials under different forces. Based on the results of this research, the bones and electronics of the fourth-generation exoskeleton could be made smaller and lighter. As a result, the exoskeleton is easier to put on and transport than the previous generation, improving user-friendliness.
Project MARCH collaborates with St Maartenskliniek. Ilse van Nes, rehabilitation physician in the Rehabilitation Medicine Department at Sint Maartenskliniek: "Standing and walking provides beneficial health effects for paraplegics, including stronger bones, less pain, better blood flow, fewer spasms and better regulation of bladder and bowel function. This all contributes to a better quality of life. The development of the exoskeleton is still in its infancy, but already we are seeing impressive results."
Sjaan Quirijns is 'pilot'
'pilot' Sjaan Quirijns is also involved in the development of Project MARCH IV. Quirijns has had a spinal cord injury since 2000 and was also previously involved in the development of precursor Project MARCH III. "The further development of this exoskeleton will make it possible to reduce daily mobility limitations experienced by paraplegic patients today quite a bit in the future," Quirijns said.
The fourth-generation exoskeleton will be produced in the coming weeks and is expected to be ready by the end of May. Until the summer, reliability
and user-friendliness tests, involving both pilot Quirijns and Sint Maartenskliniek. The final result - the new prototype - will be presented in August.
Cybathlon
On 20 September, Quirijns and Project MARCH will participate in the Cybathlon, an international competition for exoskeletons. Participants are challenged during the race to overcome a variety of everyday challenges, including stairs, incline, standing up and sitting down, and walking over rough terrain. In 2018, the Cybathlon was won by Project MARCH III.
Author: Wouter Hoeffnagel
Source: Project MARCH
