Stiffness Modulator: A Novel Actuator for Human Augmentation

H.-F. Lau, A. Sutrisno, T.-H. Chong, D.J. Braun, Stiffness Modulator: A Novel Actuator for Human Augmentation, IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation, pp. 7742-7748, 2018.

This paper introduces a compact and lightweight stiffness modulator that provides stiffness adjustment without performing deliberate mechanical work. Designed for human augmentation, the device complements natural muscle co-contraction to reduce muscle activity and metabolic cost. Experiments demonstrate its ability to augment the human knee joint during a sit-to-stand task, showing reduced muscle effort while consuming minimal battery power.

Why it matters: Portable stiffness modulation has long been a challenge for human augmentation. This work demonstrates a practical implementation that can support everyday movements efficiently, opening the door to wearable devices that enhance mobility while conserving energy.