Tele-controlled upper arm exoskeleton for post-stroke recovery

Clinical studies have shown that post-stroke patients can greatly benefit from exoskeleton-assisted rehabilitation exercises, providing a compelling alternative to traditional physiotherapy. Most existing exoskeletons are locally controlled, prompting the development of a tele-controlled spring-driven upper arm exoskeleton. This paper describes the design of an exoskeleton featuring arm support for enhanced grip strength using a single motor for elbow and finger mobility, along with string compliance, offering a remotely controllable and monitorable system in a home setting, particularly beneficial for stroke survivors and individuals lacking technical expertise. Details of the 3D design of the exoskeleton have been reported, with an emphasis on the incorporation of user anthropometric data and biomechanical considerations. The paper further discusses the initial findings of tele-control using an electronic control circuit based on an Arduino IoT module connected to a cloud-based interface accessible through Android smartphones.