FUTEK announces
Recent Sponsorship with the Institute for Human and Machine Cognition
in very first Cybathlon
SUMMARY
The Cybathlon is a competition that invites companies and universities
from all over the world to work side by side with disabled persons
in order to develop advanced assistive devices.
Mina v2 incorporates FUTEK’s LCB200 Rod End Load Cell into
all of its actuators, and placed second in the Powered Exoskeleton
Race competition.
FUTEK Advanced Sensor Technology,
Inc. is proud to announce its recent sponsorship of the Institute
for Human and Machine Cognition (IHMC) in the very first Cybathlon
competition held in Zurich, Switzerland on Oct. 8, 2016.
The Cybathlon is an international competition that invites companies
and universities to work side by side with disabled people in
order to develop assistive devices. The IHMC team placed second
overall in the Powered Exoskeleton Race winning the silver medal
for that event. In order to demonstrate the effectiveness of
the exoskeleton, IHMC chose Mark Daniel, who has sustained a
spinal cord injury, to compete in five out of six possible tasks
for the Powered Exoskeleton competition.
IHMC developed a new exoskeleton featuring a new actuator design
called Mina v2 for the Cybathlon competition. This new design
is unique in that it includes the addition of powered ankles,
which allows the exoskeleton to be more stable and faster than
previous versions.
Mina v2 incorporates FUTEK’s LCB200 Rod End Load Cell into
all of its actuators. Peter Neuhaus, IHMC’s Senior Research
Scientist explains, “The LCB200 load cell, from FUTEK, is
used in each of our actuators to measure the torque that the
actuator is applying. Measuring the torque is critical because
we use the measured value in our feedback loop to control the
current to the motor. Also, by precisely knowing the torque,
the computer can make important decisions about how to control
the exoskeleton. Integrating this load cell into the actuator
turn a regular, position controllable, actuator into a high fidelity,
torque controllable actuator.”
About
the IHMC:
The IHMC is one of the nation’s leading research institutes
that focus on the relationships between humans and machines.
Their researchers continue to develop useful technological systems
to enhance the cognitive, physical and perceptual capacities
of humans.
About
FUTEK:
FUTEK Advanced Sensor Technology, Inc. is a U.S. Manufacturer
of load cells, torque sensors, pressure sensors, multi-axis sensors
and related instruments and software. Located in Southern California,
FUTEK has built a reputation as a quality provider of test and
measurement tools. As the Sensor Solution Source, FUTEK supplies
test and measurement products to many industries, especially
medical, robotic, and aerospace.
October 2016
