SWAG Project Launched to Revolutionise Robotic Exosuits
2 January 2024
The EU-funded SWAG project aiming to set a new benchmark in motion assistive technologies, developing fully soft human-assistive exoskeletons, kicked off in Athens, Greece in late 2023.
SWAG, standing for Soft Wearable Assistive Garments, will explore a fundamentally new approach to engineering soft wearable robots, that completely omit rigid materials in favour of soft, inflatable ones. SWAG’s innovative approach aims to create exoskeletal devices carefully designed to target strain-prone parts of the human body, specifically the lower body and core.
Spearheaded by TWI Hellas, the SWAG project consortium brings together 13 partners from six EU countries and the UK; Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg (Heidelberg University) , Bendabl , Hellenic Mediterranean University , Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna , EURECAT , Jozef Stefan Institute , University of Twente , IUVO SRL , Roessingh Research and Development , University of Hertfordshire , Brunel University London and Imperial College London . This group boasts leading academics renowned for their expertise in diverse fields, Research and Technology Organizations with a proven track record in developing and validating application-driven solutions and two commercial partners committed to spearheading the use and commercialisation of SWAG’s outcomes.
Soft lower extremity exosuits are one of the most challenging research topics, and this requires a multidisciplinary approach, involving diverse fields such as biomechanics, robotics, control, AI and ergonomics.
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The SWAG soft structures aim to adapt seamlessly to the intricate motions of each joint, using high-strength fabrics and films, offering a level of flexibility and adaptability unprecedented in existing solutions. The SWAG solution aims to support flexible and adaptable movements that humans naturally perform, inspired by continuum robots, a type of robotic system that draws from structures found in nature. This will provide comprehensive support for joints such as the ankle or hip
The advancements of SWAG will be demonstrated in four scenarios, showcasing its transformative potential in real-world settings, including assistance for daily living and strength-building; but there are many potential applications.
The project website and social media accounts will be launched this month - watch this space!
This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe programme under Grant Agreement 101120408