Training Simulator for Manual Lathe Operation Using Motion Capture – Addition of Teaching Function and Evaluation of Training Effectiveness –

Numerous training simulators have been developed using virtual reality (VR) owing to their various advantages. Systems for training machine operations with physical movements face differences in the operational feel between actual and virtual machines. Moreover, virtual training is problematic in safety education because trainees in safe virtual environments can exhibit unsafe behavior in reality. To solve these problems, a previous study developed a virtual reality (VR) system to train a lathe operation with mixed reality using a motion capture system. This study included a function to teach the procedure and safety precautions for straight turning operations using a lathe. To evaluate the training effectiveness of this system, an experiment was conducted to compare learning using a video. Testees were divided into a simulator group, who learned with the system, and a video group, who learned with the video material. Work on the actual lathe by each testee after learning, was evaluated. Consequently, the actual work by the testees who used this system had fewer errors and shorter standstill times in which they attempted to recollect the next phase task. Although the number of trainees was small, this relationship had a statistical advantage. In the actual work, all the testees in the video group entered the danger area; however, only half of the testees in the simulator group entered the danger area. Therefore, a trainee using a simulator can remember the work process more reliably and accurately and perform it safely. Moreover, trainees who have undergone training several times should be able to perform actual work without making operational errors or engaging in unsafe behaviors.

Adapting Balance Training by Changing the Direction of the Tensile Load on the Lumbar Region

In this study, we investigated trainees’ adaptation by conducting static balance training in a tandem standing posture. The horizontal tensile force loads in the front, back, left, and right directions were applied using pneumatic artificial muscles. We analyzed the adaptation that occurred during training by changing the direction of the horizontal tensile load on the lumbar region according to the tendency of the trainee. We conducted the experiments using the following protocol. Ten trainees participated in the experiment. In Phase 1, we applied loads in four directions the same number of times in random order to investigate the weak direction in the balance of each trainee. In Phase 2, we measured five trainees in each group: Group 1 was trained in the same way as Phase 1, and Group 2 was intensively trained in two directions in which the balance found in Phase 1 was difficult to maintain. In Phase 3, we performed the same experiment as in Phase 1. We analyzed the adaptation of the trainees using the margin of stability (MoS), a balance evaluation index. We compared the experimental results of Phases 1 and 3. In Group 1, the tendency for improvement in balance was unclear. On the other hand, the balance index in Group 2 improved in four out of five trainees in both the front-back and left-right directions. These results suggest that the training method concentrating on the weak direction could provide a clear directionality to the training effect.

A Remote Rehabilitation and Evaluation System Based on Azure Kinect

In response to the shortage, uneven distribution, and high cost of rehabilitation resources in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, we developed a low-cost, easy-to-use remote rehabilitation system that allows patients to perform rehabilitation training and receive real-time guidance from doctors at home. The proposed system uses Azure Kinect to capture motions with an error of just 3% compared to professional motion capture systems. In addition, the system provides an automatic evaluation function of rehabilitation training, including evaluation of motion angles and trajectories. After acquiring the user’s 3D motions, the system synchronizes the 3D motions to the virtual human body model in Unity with an average error of less than 1%, which gives the user a more intuitive and interactive experience. After a series of evaluation experiments, we verified the usability, convenience, and high accuracy of the system, finally concluding that the system can be used in practical rehabilitation applications.

A Review on the Rehabilitation Exoskeletons for the Lower Limbs of the Elderly and the Disabled

Research on the lower limb exoskeleton for rehabilitation have developed rapidly to meet the need of the aging population. The rehabilitation exoskeleton system is a wearable man–machine integrated mechanical device. In recent years, the vigorous development of exoskeletal technology has brought new ideas to the rehabilitation and medical treatment of patients with motion dysfunction, which is expected to help such people complete their daily physiological activities or even reshape their motion function. The rehabilitation exoskeletons conduct assistance based on detecting intention, control algorithm, and high-performance actuators. In this paper, we review rehabilitation exoskeletons from the aspects of the overall design, driving unit, intention perception, compliant control, and efficiency validation. We discussed the complexity and coupling of the man–machine integration system, and we hope to provide a guideline when designing a rehabilitation exoskeleton system for the lower limbs of elderly and disabled patients.