Visual Cues in Exergame-like Feedback for Fitting Passive Upper Limbs Exoskeleton: Systematic Review, Usability and Users’ Preferences

Conference proceedings/Conference proceedings - IEEE International Conference on Systems, Man, and Cybernetics, pp. 1020–1026

Abstract

A key problem in the adoption of exoskeletons in industry is that workers are incorrectly fitting the device, leading to discomfort and suboptimal functioning of the exoskeleton. Although biomechanical modeling and design optimization strategies have tried to resolve this issue, we propose a user-centric, real-time fitting aid to guide and control the correct fitting process, which has not been achieved in practice. Inspired by previous work that uses exergame-like feedback to instruct a user, we compared augmented reality (AR)-based visual cues to guide the accurate fitting of a passive upper limb exoskeleton. We selected visual cues through a systematic literature review and evaluated their efficacy and usability for different aspects of exoskeleton fitting in a study with sixteen participants. The study outcome suggests a statistically significant preference for a semi-transparent overlay instead of a more abstract arrow-based method. Moreover, the results indicate high usability and satisfaction with our approach, improved user acceptance, and potentially enhanced fitting accuracy. These findings advance understanding of the viability of exergame-like real-time guidance as a means to increase exoskeleton acceptance and adoption in industrial settings.

Authors 7

1. Max Middendorf

   University of Cambridge

   Affiliation as printed

   University of Cambridge

2. Christine Saeedi-Givi

   University of Cambridge

   Affiliation as printed

   University of Cambridge

3. Lea Marleen Daling Aachen

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   RWTH Aachen University

4. Anas Abdelrazeq Aachen

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   RWTH Aachen University

5. Robert Schmitt Aachen

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   RWTH Aachen University

6. Thomas Bohné

   University of Cambridge

   Affiliation as printed

   University of Cambridge

7. Sławomir Tadeja

   University of Cambridge

   Affiliation as printed

   University of Cambridge