Advanced Rehabilitation Exoskeleton Robots

A special issue of Machines (ISSN 2075-1702). This special issue belongs to the section "Robotics, Mechatronics and Intelligent Machines".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 May 2026 | Viewed by 2202

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Faculty of Mechanics, University of Craiova, 200585 Craiova, Romania
Interests: applied mechanical engineering; medical engineering; biomechanics; mechanisms; machine elements; exoskeletons
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Guest Editor
Faculty of Mechanics, University of Craiova, 200585 Craiova, Romania
Interests: robotics; mechatronics; computer science; quality testings; human rehabilitation systems

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Rehabilitation exoskeleton robots represent a rapidly advancing field at the intersection of robotics, biomechanics, and healthcare technology. Designed to assist patients with mobility impairments, these wearable robotic systems provide external mechanical support to aid in movement, muscle training, and functional recovery. Unlike traditional rehabilitation methods, advanced exoskeletons can deliver precise, repeatable motion patterns tailored to an individual’s needs, enabling more effective and engaging therapy. The integration of sensors, artificial intelligence, and real-time feedback systems has significantly improved the adaptability and usability of these devices. Modern exoskeletons can monitor patient performance, adjust assistance levels dynamically, and collect data to support clinicians in designing personalized rehabilitation programs. Applications extend across a range of conditions, including stroke recovery, spinal cord injuries, and neurodegenerative diseases, where regaining independence in mobility is a key objective. Beyond clinical settings, exoskeletons are increasingly being explored for home-based rehabilitation, empowering patients to continue therapy outside hospitals and reducing healthcare costs. Despite challenges such as affordability, portability, and long-term user comfort, ongoing research continues to enhance their effectiveness and accessibility. Advanced rehabilitation exoskeleton robots are paving the way toward more efficient recovery processes, improved patient outcomes, and a new era in assistive healthcare technologies.

Dr. Cristian Copilusi Petre
Dr. Sorin Dumitru
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • locomotion system
  • gait assistance
  • human rehabilitation systems
  • exoskeleton dynamic and kinematic analyses
  • human lower limb assistive devices

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

19 pages, 12677 KB  
Article
Approaches and Issues Regarding Center of Mass Behavior in an Exoskeleton Design for a Child’s Body
by Cristian Copilusi, Sorin Dumitru, Ionut Geonea, Slavi Lyubomirov and Cristian Mic
Machines 2025, 13(12), 1144; https://doi.org/10.3390/machines13121144 - 16 Dec 2025
Viewed by 433
Abstract
This research aims to identify a suitable design solution that models the behavior of a human’s center of mass. This solution can be implemented in an exoskeleton structure that is especially designed for children who require walking assistance and rehabilitation. The primary problem [...] Read more.
This research aims to identify a suitable design solution that models the behavior of a human’s center of mass. This solution can be implemented in an exoskeleton structure that is especially designed for children who require walking assistance and rehabilitation. The primary problem posed by exoskeleton designs is representing the effect of ground–foot contact on exoskeleton behavior under kinematic and dynamic conditions. To mitigate this, our main research objective was to develop a mechanical system that demonstrates the human center of mass (CoM) behavior on an exoskeleton designed for children with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. The research focuses on modeling human CoM behavior under kinematic circumstances and transferring this into a mechanical system conceptual design. The obtained results validate the proposed mechanical system through a comparative analysis between numerical processing, virtual prototyping, and experimental specific methods and procedures. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Rehabilitation Exoskeleton Robots)
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16 pages, 2429 KB  
Article
Biomimetic Design and Optimization of a Rolling-Gear Knee Exoskeleton for High Kinematic Fidelity and Efficiency
by Hui Li, Ming Li, Yujie Su, Disheng Xie, Raymond Kai-Yu Tong and Hongliu Yu
Machines 2025, 13(11), 997; https://doi.org/10.3390/machines13110997 - 30 Oct 2025
Viewed by 1313
Abstract
Biomimetic knee exoskeletons often struggle to balance accurate replication of joint biomechanics with efficient torque transmission. This study presents a knee exoskeleton featuring a single-stage planetary gear set with three coupled interface gears to reproduce the coupled rolling–sliding motion of the human knee. [...] Read more.
Biomimetic knee exoskeletons often struggle to balance accurate replication of joint biomechanics with efficient torque transmission. This study presents a knee exoskeleton featuring a single-stage planetary gear set with three coupled interface gears to reproduce the coupled rolling–sliding motion of the human knee. By mapping rolling and sliding displacements into distinct gear-driven motions, the design achieves a near-linear relationship approximating the physiological J-shaped instantaneous center of rotation (ICR). Gear parameters were optimized under biomechanical and engineering constraints, producing a compact, manufacturable configuration with ICR deviation ≤ 5 mm (sliding distance). Performance experience demonstrates that the optimized joint reduced sliding misalignment of the contact point by 73.4%, delivered peak output torque in agreement with predictions, and maintained an average efficiency of 95.4% across operating speeds. These findings confirm that the proposed mechanism enhances kinematic fidelity and actuation performance, offering a promising solution for next-generation rehabilitation exoskeletons. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Rehabilitation Exoskeleton Robots)
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