BALANCE - Hybrid Robotic Mobility Device

Shaurya Rana (1), Mustafa Rahmatullah (2), Tarun Yadgirkar (1), Rushil Bommisetty (1), Avyay Ramaswamy (1), Gaurinandhan Umeshnath (1), Rohan Dravid (1), Arya Ram (3), Joshua Amaladass (4), Alex Colin (4)

(1) Dougherty Valley High School, (2) Valley View Charter Prep, (3) McNair Academic High School, (4) Dublin Robotics

Abstract - According to projections by the year 2050, there will be an excess of 2 billion people globally, who will be 60 or older, and mobility will certainly be one of the most significant public health challenges. Although the average lifespan of good health is increasing, so too is the period marked by frailty, falls, disability, and loss of independence. In developed countries such as the United States, sedentary lifestyles have accelerated declines in health span, however, studies have shown that physical activity can increase years free from disability. Mobility is not binary - rather, it exists along a continuum influenced by physical, cognitive, social, and environmental factors. As such, many current assistive devices (wheelchairs, walkers, and canes) are solutions to specific needs, can lead to increased muscle atrophy, and are unable to provide mobility across multiple terrains in context of accessibility. This paper discusses BALANCE (Biomechanical Assistive Legs with Advanced Navigation and Control Engineering), which proposes a hybrid robotic mobility assisting device that lies between simple mobility aids and complex robotic exoskeletons. BALANCE contains two subsystems, the Assistive Leg Framework, which is a dual wheeled and leg assisted mobility frame that provides structural support to the user while isolating shocks; and the Adaptive Control and Navigation Suite, which includes LiDAR, sonar, 360° cameras, and computing capabilities to provide real-time mapping and travel for the user. Other features include a hip-centric modular frame, biometric monitoring, lithium battery management, capability to collapse, and a user interface that allows the user to receive assistance from partial to fully facilitated support. The proposed design suggests that BALANCE could improve mobility over uneven surfaces, facilitate rehabilitation by preventing atrophy, and enhance independence across the mobility continuum. With the holistic B.A.L.A.N.C.E. framework as their guide, this system frames mobility as more than moving; it frames mobility as a means of independence, rehabilitation, and social participation.

Full Article: Rana, S., et al.