Key Sensors and Actuators in Robotic Exoskeletons and Biomedical Robots
A special issue of Sensors (ISSN 1424-8220). This special issue belongs to the section "Sensors and Robotics".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 25 December 2026 | Viewed by 1
Editors
Interests: robotics; exoskeletons; rehabilitation and medical robotics; assistive soft rigid grippers
Interests: evidence-based neurorehabilitation; virtual reality and telerehabilitation; exoskeleton-assisted therapy; clinical motion
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Robotic exoskeletons and biomedical robots are emerging technologies in fields such as rehabilitation, assistive mobility, industrial ergonomics, and human augmentation. By closely interfacing with the human body, these wearable systems can support or restore motor function, enhance physical performance, and reduce the risk of musculoskeletal injuries in physically demanding environments, thereby improving users’ quality of life.
In recent years, there has been growing interest in compact, lightweight, and energy-efficient actuation solutions that are suitable for wearable and biomedical robotic devices. While traditional systems have mainly relied on rigid electrical actuators, research is increasingly exploring alternative approaches such as pneumatic and soft actuators that offer improved compliance and safer human–robot interaction. Among these emerging solutions, twisted string actuators (TSAs) have attracted considerable attention due to their mechanical simplicity, high force-to-weight ratio, and ability to convert rotational motion into linear force using minimal hardware. TSAs combine the advantages of electric motor actuation with flexible string-based transmission. This hybrid approach integrates the precision of electrical actuators with the adaptability of soft mechanical elements, making it particularly suitable for exoskeletons, prostheses, and other biomedical robots in which weight, efficiency, portability, and safety are critical design factors. Wearable and haptic sensing technologies are also rapidly advancing, playing a key role in improving human–robot interaction and robot–environment interaction in biomedical applications. Modern sensors can detect motion, measure interaction forces, and capture tactile feedback such as pressure, vibration, and temperature, enabling more intuitive and responsive control. In addition, recent advances in artificial intelligence are creating new opportunities for adaptive assistance, patient-specific customization, and improved control strategies in both exoskeletons and biomedical robots.
Despite these developments, several challenges remain in designing highly efficient, lightweight, comfortable, and clinically effective robotic systems. Exoskeletons and biomedical robots must be easy to use, suitable for prolonged or repeated operation without causing fatigue or discomfort, and capable of safe interaction with humans and biological tissues. Integrating innovative actuators such as twisted string actuators with distributed sensing technologies and intelligent control algorithms requires interdisciplinary collaboration across robotics, biomechanics, materials science, electronics, and data-driven control.
This Special Issue aims to present the most recent advances related to key sensors and actuators in robotic exoskeletons and biomedical robots, with a focus on innovative actuation mechanisms, wearable and biomedical sensing technologies, and AI-based intelligent control strategies. Contributions addressing the design, modeling, control, and integration of sensing and actuation systems for wearable robotics and biomedical robotic applications are particularly encouraged.
Topics of interest for publication include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Design, modeling, and optimization of TSAs for wearable robotics and biomedical robots.
- Novel actuation mechanisms for wearable assistive devices.
- Wearable sensors for motion, force, and physiological monitoring in exoskeleton and rehabilitation robot systems.
- Haptic and tactile sensing technologies for improved human–robot interaction in biomedical robotics.
- AI and machine learning approaches for adaptive control of robotic exoskeletons and biomedical robots.
- Intelligent control of TSAs and other compact actuators.
- Sensor fusion and multimodal sensing in wearable robotic systems.
- Soft sensors and flexible electronics for wearable applications.
- Human–robot interaction and user intention detection in exoskeletons and assistive biomedical robots.
- Integrated sensing–actuation architectures for assistive and rehabilitative robotics.
- Experimental validation and real-world clinical or assistive applications of wearable and biomedical robotic systems.
Dr. Mihai Dragusanu
Dr. József Tollár
Guest Editors
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Keywords
- robotic exoskeletons
- biomedical robots
- twisted string actuators (TSAs)
- wearable robotics
- haptic sensing
- actuation systems
- human–robot interaction
- soft robotics
- adaptive control
- artificial intelligence
- force and motion sensing
- rehabilitation robotics
- surgical robotics
- prosthetics
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