This paper studies the integration of a human arm with a powered exoskeleton (orthotic device) and its experimental implementation in an elbow joint, naturally controlled by the human. The human-machine interface was set at the neuromuscular level, by using the neuromuscular signal (EMG) as the primary command signal for the exoskeleton system. The EMG signal along with the joint kinematics were fed into a myoprocessor which in turn predicted the muscle moments on the elbow joint. The moment-based control system integrated myoprocessor moment prediction with feedback moments measured at the human arm/exoskeleton and external load/exoskeleton interfaces. The exoskeleton structure under study was a two-link, two-joint mechanism, corresponding to the arm limbs and joints, which was mechanically linked by the human operator. Four indices of performance were used to define the quality of the human/machine integration and to evaluate the operational envelope of the system. Experimental results indicate the feasibility of an EMG-based power exoskeleton system as an integrated human-machine system using high-level neurological signals.

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