Exoskeleton Robots and Human–Robot Interaction Technologies

Dear Colleagues,

The percentage of older people is continuously increasing in many countries, which has become a social problem requiring attention from many fields, including social science, medical science and engineering. Within the aged population, the prevalence of physical deterioration is evident; moreover, their physical deterioration also leads to the degeneration of motor function. Additionally, hemiplegic limb impairment following a traumatic brain injury or stroke is a common problem among many older individuals, which has become a global issue recently. Consequently, there is an increasing demand for strength enhancement and function recovery for an aging society. On the other hand, caregivers providing physical therapy and assistance are required to undertake hard and boring physical labor, and therefore it is difficult to attract young people to join this kind of profession. Demands from patients and doctors have aroused considerable interest in developing wearable sensors and robots with a common goal of being used as therapeutic aids or assistants for human daily life activities (DLA). The main aim of this Special Issue is to focus on exoskeleton robots and human–robot interaction technologies, providing a platform for the discussion of the major research challenges and achievements in this field. Submissions to this Special Issue on “Exoskeleton Robots and Human Robot Interaction Technologies” are solicited to represent a snapshot of the field’s development by covering a range of topics that include, but are not limited to, system and algorithm development, theoretical, engineering, computational simulation, and the experimental and clinical application of robots in the following areas: 

• Exoskeleton robots;
• Wearable robot systems;
• Rehabilitation robots;
• Human assistance robots;
• Walking support machines;
• Human–robot interaction;
• Intelligent prosthetics;
• Robotics for the elderly;
• Human gait and balance analysis;
• The diagnosis of gait disorders;
• Neuroscience-based physical diagnosis;
• Augmentative devices;  
• Wearable sensors;
• Ergonomics. 

Prof. Dr. Tao Liu
Prof. Dr. João Ferreira
Prof. Dr. Long He
Guest Editors

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• exoskeleton robots
• human-robot interaction
• ergonomics
• wearable robot systems
• rehabilitation robots
• human assistance robots