Five doctoral students from the BruBotics research group at VUB showcased the synergy between technology and innovation at the ASTM Exo Games 2024 in Pennsylvania. This international competition focused on exoskeletons designed for first responders. With a budget of just $2000, the VEXO team developed a functional and efficient system aimed at supporting physically demanding tasks.
The team, made up of Stijn Hamelryckx, Stijn Kindt, Menthy Denayer, Adrien Deraes, and Elias Thiery, designed an exoskeleton under the guidance of Professor Tom Verstraten, aimed at reducing strain on the back, arms, and shoulders. Their system was put to the test in a series of practical challenges, including unrolling and rolling up fire hoses, crawling through confined spaces, and moving heavy boxes.
"The biggest challenge was balancing functionality and ease of use," said team member Elias Thiery. "We had to design the exoskeleton to support the ten different tasks performed during the competition, without making it too complex to operate. For first responders, that balance is crucial."
For the VEXO team, participating in the ASTM Exo Games was more than just a technical challenge. "The direct interaction with the end users of our exoskeleton was incredibly valuable and educational. As engineers, it’s easy to get caught up in the technical details, but the feedback from experienced responders brought us back to the essence: what truly matters in the field," Elias explained.
In addition to the practical tests, teams were also required to back up their work with theoretical insights and present their strategy. VEXO excelled in this area, winning awards for Best Poster, Best Presentation, and Best Paper. These accolades not only highlight their technical expertise but also their ability to communicate complex ideas clearly and persuasively to a broad audience. In the main competition, VEXO secured third place.
The team is already looking forward to future editions of the Exo Games and invites interested students and researchers to join them. "An engineering background is useful, but anyone with an interest in exoskeletons is welcome," added Thiery.
Watch the aftermovie for a glimpse of their achievements and a demonstration of the exoskeleton in action.
Read more about innovations in exoskeletons in the article on AugmentX, the VUB research lab.*
*This is a machine translation. We apologise for any inaccuracies.
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