Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
4.3
2.3
Journals
Actuators
Special Issues
Human-Centric Intelligent Actuation Systems: Innovations in Control, Sensing, and Multidisciplinary...
share announcement

Human-Centric Intelligent Actuation Systems: Innovations in Control, Sensing, and Multidisciplinary Applications

A special issue of Actuators (ISSN 2076-0825). This special issue belongs to the section "Actuators for Robotics".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 May 2026 | Viewed by 6101

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Shenglin Mu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Ehime University, Matsuyama, Japan
Interests: control engineering; evolutionary optimization theory; soft computing
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Satoru Shibata

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Ehime University, Matsuyama, Japan
Interests: intelligent control; welfare engineering; man-machine Interface
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In order to help people live more comfortably and support various activities, research and development on actuators is being actively conducted every day, and actuators are being used in various fields related to humans. Thus, it is very important to improve actuation systems that are useful for humans, and we must continue to accelerate this movement. This Special Issue covers a wide range of research activities that are working to achieve high precision, high efficiency, low power consumption, development of new materials, development of new control technologies, and miniaturization in actuation related to humans. We also invite proposals and integration of a wide range of actuation systems to be used in new fields, including actuation systems used in transportation equipment including automobiles and aircraft, and actuation systems developed in medical welfare, nursing care, and robots. We welcome approaches to control, sensing, and system integration of actuation to enrich human life, or actuation that promotes smooth interaction between humans and machines or robots. We also welcome submissions of actuation systems that directly or indirectly affect the human body and help make humans healthier and more wholesome, both physically and mentally. In addition, we welcome the development of new fundamental actuators that are expected to be relevant to humans in the future.

Dr. Shenglin Mu
Prof. Dr. Satoru Shibata
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Actuators is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • human-centric actuation
  • intelligent control systems
  • human–machine interaction
  • advanced sensing technologies
  • multidisciplinary applications
  • high-precision actuation
  • energy-efficient actuation
  • miniaturized actuators
  • smart materials for actuation

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (5 papers)

Download All Papers
Order results
Result details
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

Jump to: Review

27 pages, 8040 KB  
Article
Design and Feasibility Assessment of a Prototype Wearable Upper-Limb Device for Facilitating Arm Swing Training
by Ali Faeghinejad, Liam Hawthorne and Babak Hejrati
Actuators 2026, 15(1), 27; https://doi.org/10.3390/act15010027 - 3 Jan 2026
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1282
Abstract
This paper presents the design, development, and evaluation of a proof-of-concept arm swing facilitator device (ASFD) to promote proper arm swing during gait training. Although coordinated arm swing plays a critical role in human locomotion and neurorehabilitation, few wearable systems have been developed [...] Read more.
This paper presents the design, development, and evaluation of a proof-of-concept arm swing facilitator device (ASFD) to promote proper arm swing during gait training. Although coordinated arm swing plays a critical role in human locomotion and neurorehabilitation, few wearable systems have been developed to integrate it into gait training. The ASFD was designed to test the feasibility of generating torque at the shoulder joint to initiate arm flexion–extension motion while allowing other shoulder degrees of freedom to move freely. The device induced cyclic arm motion at 1 Hz, producing sufficient torque while maintaining ergonomic criteria, such as a large workspace and back-mounted actuation to minimize arm load. The system incorporated a double-parallelogram mechanism to expand the workspace and a two-stage pulley–belt transmission to amplify torque. Testing showed that the ASFD produced up to 15 N·m and 11 N·m torques in static and dynamic load tests, respectively. Kinematic and experimental analyses confirmed sufficient motion freedom, except for some constraints in rotation. Human subject experiment demonstrated that the ASFD successfully induced arm swing within the 0.8–1.2 Hz frequency range and torques below 11 N·m. The ASFD met its design objectives, establishing a foundation for future development aimed at gait rehabilitation applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Human-Centric Intelligent Actuation Systems: Innovations in Control, Sensing, and Multidisciplinary Applications)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

18 pages, 5574 KB  
Article
Adaptive Dynamic Event-Triggered Sliding Mode Tracking Control of Pneumatic Vibration Isolation System
by Haoming Zou, Zizhen An, Mingcong Deng and Guoshan Zhang
Actuators 2025, 14(11), 558; https://doi.org/10.3390/act14110558 - 13 Nov 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1001
Abstract
In this paper, an adaptive dynamic event-triggered sliding mode control scheme is proposed for a pneumatic vibration isolation platform. First, an experimental platform is designed and constructed, and a corresponding dynamic model is established, which explicitly accounts for the unknown threshold voltage at [...] Read more.
In this paper, an adaptive dynamic event-triggered sliding mode control scheme is proposed for a pneumatic vibration isolation platform. First, an experimental platform is designed and constructed, and a corresponding dynamic model is established, which explicitly accounts for the unknown threshold voltage at the input side. Based on this model, an adaptive sliding mode controller is developed. Then, to suppress unnecessary actuator updates, a dynamic event-triggered mechanism is introduced. Lyapunov-based analysis demonstrates the stability of the closed-loop system and guarantees the exclusion of Zeno behavior. Finally, experimental results on the pneumatic platform verify the effectiveness and superiority of the proposed approach. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Human-Centric Intelligent Actuation Systems: Innovations in Control, Sensing, and Multidisciplinary Applications)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

14 pages, 1272 KB  
Article
Simulated Intelligent-System Interruptions: Effects on Back-Support Exoskeleton Performance and Muscle Activation
by Jeewon Choi, Junik Park and Chaerim Park
Actuators 2025, 14(11), 555; https://doi.org/10.3390/act14110555 - 13 Nov 2025
Viewed by 744
Abstract
This study examined how interruptions, which are increasingly prevalent in modern intelligent work systems, influence the effectiveness of a back-support exoskeleton (BSE) during repetitive low-load lifting. Thirteen healthy male participants (age: 22.7 ± 1.7 years) performed a repetitive lifting task with and without [...] Read more.
This study examined how interruptions, which are increasingly prevalent in modern intelligent work systems, influence the effectiveness of a back-support exoskeleton (BSE) during repetitive low-load lifting. Thirteen healthy male participants (age: 22.7 ± 1.7 years) performed a repetitive lifting task with and without a back-support exoskeleton (BSE) while concurrently engaging in a digit subtraction task that simulated cognitive interruptions characteristic of intelligent systems, presented at three frequencies (none, intermittent, and frequent). Task performance (number of lifting repetitions and placement accuracy), muscle activation of the erector spinae and upper trapezius, and subjective workload were assessed. Results showed that BSE use reduced the number of lifting repetitions by approximately 8% but did not affect placement accuracy. Consistent with its intended function, the BSE decreased erector spinae activation and subjective workload; however, it was also associated with progressively greater trapezius activation. Notably, BSE did not provide additional benefits under these cognitively demanding conditions, highlighting its limited effectiveness when attentional resources are constrained. These findings highlight that the value of BSEs depends not only on biomechanical support but also on work environments that effectively manage the dual-task demands introduced by intelligent systems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Human-Centric Intelligent Actuation Systems: Innovations in Control, Sensing, and Multidisciplinary Applications)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

11 pages, 1251 KB  
Article
AI-Enhanced Model for Integrated Performance Prediction and Classification of Vibration-Reducing Gloves for Hand-Transmitted Vibration Control
by Yumeng Yao, Wei Xiao, Alireza Moezi, Marco Tarabini, Paola Saccomandi and Subhash Rakheja
Actuators 2025, 14(9), 436; https://doi.org/10.3390/act14090436 - 3 Sep 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 929
Abstract
This study presents a human-centric, data-driven modeling framework for the intelligent evaluation and classification of vibration-reducing (VR) gloves used in hand-transmitted vibration environments. Recognizing the trade-offs between protection and functionality, the integrated performance assessment incorporates three critical and often conflicting metrics: manual dexterity, [...] Read more.
This study presents a human-centric, data-driven modeling framework for the intelligent evaluation and classification of vibration-reducing (VR) gloves used in hand-transmitted vibration environments. Recognizing the trade-offs between protection and functionality, the integrated performance assessment incorporates three critical and often conflicting metrics: manual dexterity, grip strength, and distributed vibration transmissibility at the palm and fingers. Three independent experiments involving fifteen participants were conducted to evaluate the individual performance of ten commercially available VR gloves fabricated from air bladders, polymers, and viscoelastic gels. The effects of VR gloves on manual dexterity, grip strength, and distributed vibration transmission were investigated. The resulting experimental data were used to train and tune seven different machine learning models. The results suggested that the AdaBoost model demonstrated superior predictive performance, achieving 92% accuracy in efficiently evaluating the integrated performance of VR gloves. It is further shown that the proposed data-driven model could be effectively applied to classify the performances of VR gloves in three workplace conditions based on the dominant vibration frequencies (low-, medium-, and high-frequency). The proposed framework demonstrates the potential of AI-enhanced intelligent actuation systems to support personalized selection of wearable protective equipment, thereby enhancing occupational safety, usability, and task efficiency in vibration-intensive environments. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Human-Centric Intelligent Actuation Systems: Innovations in Control, Sensing, and Multidisciplinary Applications)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Review

Jump to: Research

26 pages, 2301 KB  
Review
Fault Detection and Diagnosis for Human-Centric Robotic Actuation in Healthcare: Methods, Failure Modes, and a Validation Framework
by Camelia Adela Maican, Cristina Floriana Pană, Nicolae Răzvan Vrăjitoru, Daniela Maria Pătrașcu-Pană and Virginia Maria Rădulescu
Actuators 2025, 14(12), 566; https://doi.org/10.3390/act14120566 - 21 Nov 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1363
Abstract
This review synthesises fault detection and diagnosis (FDD) methods for robotic actuation in healthcare, where precise, compliant, and safe physical human–robot interaction (pHRI) is essential. Actuator families—harmonic-drive electric transmissions, series-elastic designs, Cable/Bowden mechanisms, permanent-magnet synchronous motors (PMSM), and force–torque-sensed architectures—are mapped to characteristic [...] Read more.
This review synthesises fault detection and diagnosis (FDD) methods for robotic actuation in healthcare, where precise, compliant, and safe physical human–robot interaction (pHRI) is essential. Actuator families—harmonic-drive electric transmissions, series-elastic designs, Cable/Bowden mechanisms, permanent-magnet synchronous motors (PMSM), and force–torque-sensed architectures—are mapped to characteristic fault classes and to sensing, residual-generation, and decision pipelines. Four methodological families are examined: model-based observers/parity relations, parameter-estimation strategies, signal-processing with change detection, and data-driven pipelines. Suitability for pHRI is assessed by attention to latency, robustness to movement artefacts, user comfort, and fail-safe behaviour. Aligned with ISO 14971 and the IEC 60601/80601 series, a validation framework is introduced, with reportable metrics—time-to-detect (TTD), minimal detectable fault amplitude (MDFA), and false-alarm rate (FAR)—at clinically relevant thresholds, accompanied by a concise reporting checklist. Across 127 studies (2016–2025), a pronounced technology-dependent structure emerges in the actuator-by-fault relationship; accuracy (ACC/F1) is commonly reported, whereas MDFA, TTD, and FAR are rarely documented. These findings support actuation-aware observers and decision rules and motivate standardised reporting beyond classifier accuracy to enable clinically meaningful, reproducible evaluation in contact-rich pHRI. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Human-Centric Intelligent Actuation Systems: Innovations in Control, Sensing, and Multidisciplinary Applications)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
 
Displaying articles 1-5
Back to TopTop