Standard Test Method for Exoskeleton Use: Obstacle Avoidance: Walking

Importancia y uso:

5.1 Obstacles can vary greatly in, for example: length, width, height, quantity, geometry, and for a variety of industries. Fig. 2 shows examples of various obstacles.

FIG. 2 Example Obstacles in: (a) Road Construction; (b) Warehouse; (c) Manufacturing: Floor; (d) Manufacturing: Overhead; (e) Military Obstacle Course

5.2 Exoskeletons are being used in the industrial/occupational, military, response, medical, and recreational sectors to enhance safety and effectiveness of the user to perform tasks. Many tasks involve avoiding obstacles, and may include for example, upper, lower, or full body movement in order to complete the task. As there are infinite obstacles and ways that obstacle courses can be designed, this test method addresses obstacle avoidance while walking through a standard set of obstacles. Dependent upon the task, it may require people to traverse various environmental conditions (for example, ground) and avoid obstacles while wearing an exoskeleton. For example, an exoskeleton may be used to help during construction or in medical facilities where workers in exoskeletons avoid obstacles with and without carrying loads as part of their daily activities. In military, manufacturing, and response areas, exoskeleton users may for example, step over or under, side-step between, or walk around obstacles, or combinations thereof, to perform the task at hand. Variations to obstacle avoidance may include, for example, increased user speed/momentum, load handling, and distractions that may change user performance when avoiding obstacles. The testing results of exoskeletons shall describe, in a statistically significant way (see guidance in Appendix X1), how reliably the exoskeleton is able to support tasks within the specified types of environments, confinements, and terrains, and thus provide sufficiently high levels of confidence to determine the applicability of the exoskeleton.

5.3 This test method addresses exoskeleton safety and performance requirements expressed by manufacturing, emergency responders, military, or other organizations requesting this test. The safety and performance data captured within this test method are indicative of the exoskeleton’s and the exoskeleton user’s capabilities. Having available direct information from tested exoskeleton(s) with associated performance data to guide procurement and deployment decisions is essential to exoskeleton purchasers and users.

5.4 The testing results of the candidate exoskeleton(s) shall describe, in a statistically significant way, how reliably the exoskeleton user is able to avoid obstacles while walking. The test apparatus described in 6.7 is intended to be a single obstacle layout where repeatable results between exoskeletons, users, and organizations are comparable. The standard test setup and apparatus can also be used to support training and establish proficiency of exoskeleton users, as well as provide manufacturers with information about the usefulness of their exoskeleton(s) for tasks. For guidance on exoskeleton training, see Practice F3444/F3444M.

5.5 Although the test method was developed for the sectors listed in 5.2, it may be applicable to other operational domains.

Subcomité:

F48.03

Referida por:

F3612-24, F3323-24

Volúmen:

15.13

Número ICS:

11.180.10 (Aids and adaptation for moving), 25.040.30 (Industrial robots. Manipulators)

Palabras clave:

exoskeleton; exosuit; industrial/occupational; medical; military; movement; obstacle avoidance; obstacles; recreational; response;