Human-Centered Design of Wearable Neuroprostheses and Exoskeletons

12 AI MAGAZINE Recent advances in smart human-machine systems, including wearable robotic technologies and neural interfaces, which are able to detect conscious choice, decision, and intent from the patient, now allow the design of wearable robots and powered prostheses and exoskeletons that assist and work cooperatively with people with disabilities (figure 1). Recently, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) defined a powered exoskeleton as “a prescription device that is composed of an external, powered, motorized orthosis used for medical purposes that is placed over a person’s paralyzed or weakened limbs for the purpose of providing ambulation.” Moreover, the FDA determined that powered exoskeletons are class II devices with special controls that provide reasonable assurance of the safety and effectiveness of the device.