The original exoskeleton device pictured here was developed by Livity Technologies.
UW Assistant Professor Domen Novak’s team will use a three-year grant from the National
Science Foundation to obtain fundamental knowledge about the effects a trunk exoskeleton
has on human movement and physiology in a variety of dynamic activities. (Domen Novak
Photo)
Assistant Professor Domen Novak in the University of Wyoming’s Department of Electrical
and Computer Engineering recently received a grant of more than $520,000 from the
National Science Foundation for research on trunk exoskeletons that can prevent and
relieve back pain.
As principal investigator, Novak will introduce intelligent and adaptive components
to an exoskeleton prototype originally created by Colorado startup company Livity
Technologies. The original model limited the wearer’s ability to perform dynamic functions
with the stabilization needed for effective support or flexibility. The research objective
is to promote useful and comfortable interactions between the device and its wearer.
Novak is joined by Boyi Dai, an associate professor in UW’s Division of Kinesiology
and Health Promotion, as co-principal investigator.
In early research funded through Wyoming’s National Institutes of Health IDeA Networks
of Biomedical Research Excellence (INBRE) program, Novak, Dai and students conducted
research on 12 healthy participants ranging from 18 to 65 years old. They found that
the exoskeleton was not providing consistent support in response to various movements
the participants were performing such as sitting, standing and lifting.
Once the grant officially begins Jan. 1, 2020, Novak and his team will carry out three
“work packages” over the course of the three-year grant. The project will obtain fundamental
knowledge about the effects a trunk exoskeleton has on human movement and physiology
in a variety of dynamic activities. The team currently has two exoskeleton devices
and potentially will build up to five more designed for various body heights.
Anonymous research participants will be recruited through local physical therapy offices
and other means. UW’s Institutional Review Board will oversee the process to ensure
that all procedures are ethically acceptable. Livity Technologies will continue collaboration
with Novak’s team throughout the grant to provide exoskeleton maintenance and mechanical
development.
Incorporating smart technology into the device is a key component in the advancement
of biomedical research, according to Novak. Using motors and machine-learning algorithms,
the exoskeleton could adapt itself to specific wearers and activities, providing personalized
support. Practical use in occupations where heavy lifting is present and broad impact
on back pain prevention are key objectives in the research.
Additionally, Novak believes this project will promote advances in nonsurgical and
nonpharmaceutical interventions that may be more effective than products available
today.
“Lower back pain is a health issue we can all relate to,” Novak says. “We hope this
research project will lead to low-cost, smart solutions that can relieve and prevent
back pain for millions of people all over the world.”
Novak holds a diploma and a Ph.D. in electrical engineering from the University of
Ljubljana in Slovenia. His main research area is human-robot interaction, particularly
rehabilitation robotics. He is interested in the information that robots can obtain
about humans’ performance, intentions and emotional states via sensors such as heart
rate, electromyography, electroencephalography and eye tracking.
He also is interested in how robots can motivate humans to exercise using interesting
virtual environments and other types of feedback. To achieve his goals in this area,
he makes use of expertise in robotics, biomedical signal processing, sensor fusion
and virtual reality.
