Prata Cuidados para Animais · 2025
Repawse Exoesqueleto de Reabilitação para Animais de Estimação
by Leijing Zhou
- A' Design Award de Prata 2025 in Cuidados para Animais
- CLIENT: Zhejiang University
- Estimated Number of Design Views: 75,206
- Verification code F6B1B8E420 · Verify this award
Colors
About Repawse Exoesqueleto de Reabilitação para Animais de Estimação
Repawse é um exoesqueleto de reabilitação desenvolvido para cães com comprometimento dos membros posteriores. Sensores de eletromiografia de superfície captam os sinais musculares de um membro anterior saudável, e um microcontrolador utiliza esses sinais para prever a intenção de movimento. Atuadores lineares movimentam então o suporte do membro posterior em tempo real, mantendo a marcha coordenada e natural. A estrutura é feita em liga de alumínio, o forro em espuma viscoelástica macia e as solas em borracha antiderrapante. As peças são impressas em 3D a partir de escaneamentos corporais, garantindo um ajuste individual e maior conforto.
About the A' Design Award de Prata
Repawse Exoesqueleto de Reabilitação para Animais de Estimação conquistou o A' Design Award de Prata, um reconhecimento extraordinariamente prestigiado atribuído a designs de topo de gama, deslumbrantes e impressionantes. Os vencedores da Prata são obras tremendamente brilhantes e extremamente criativas que ilustram a perícia, o talento e a acuidade excecionais dos seus designers. Espera-se que Repawse Exoesqueleto de Reabilitação para Animais de Estimação seja uma obra maravilhosa e de referência, notavelmente profissional e profundamente inovadora. Este design vencedor do A' Design Award de Prata é uma invenção muito notável e admirada, que beneficia e faz avançar as fronteiras da arte, da ciência, do design e da tecnologia. Repawse Exoesqueleto de Reabilitação para Animais de Estimação é uma criação imensamente invejada que desperta desejos, traz sentimentos positivos e faz nascer espanto e deslumbramento.
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- In response to the rehabilitation needs of disabled pets, we have developed a canine rehabilitation exoskeleton based on surface electromyographic (sEMG) control. By collecting sEMG signals from the healthy forelimb, the system drives the hindlimb actuators in real time to synchronise gait. Combined with 3D printing for custom design, it provides precise movement assistance for disabled dogs, embodying the technological protection of animal life dignity.
- Dimensions & Packaging
- Dimensions: 220mm × 200mm × 540mm
Materials: Aluminum alloy frame, soft memory foam lining, rubber soles
Technology: Surface EMG sensors, linear actuators, microcontroller-based control
Power source: Rechargeable lithium battery, 7.4V, 5000mAh - Tags
- Pet Rehabilitation, Animal Welfare, Exoskeleton, sEMG Signal, Active Control, 3D-Printing, Customized Design, Assistive Mobility
- Production Technology
- The exoskeleton is produced through advanced 3D printing technology allowing individual customization based on precise body scans. Lightweight, durable materials, including soft memory foam lining, aluminum alloy for structural parts, and anti-slip rubber soles, ensure strength, comfort, and safety in daily use.
- Design Challenge
- The primary challenge was accurately interpreting animal intention through muscle signals, with few existing precedents or standards. Historically, disabled pets faced limited and uncomfortable assistive solutions. Technologically, creating lightweight yet robust actuators and ensuring comfort required extensive material research, innovative mechanical design, and iterative prototyping with real pets.
- Research
- This project originated from a news report on prosthetic limbs for disabled pets, highlighting the pros and cons of current solutions. Inspired, we explored transferring active-control exoskeleton technology—originally developed for stroke patients—to veterinary rehabilitation. Through extensive field research, EMG data collection from animals, iterative predictive modeling, and mechanical prototyping, we successfully created an intelligent, active-assist exoskeleton for pets.
- Inspiration
- The inspiration for this project originated from a news report highlighting customized prosthetics for disabled pets, exposing significant limitations in current solutions. Coupled with my personal experience of caring for my own dog after its hindlimb injury, I recognized the broader societal need to extend humane, intelligent rehabilitation technology from human healthcare into pet care, ultimately enhancing animal welfare.
- Project Duration
- The project started in 2023 in Hangzhou and finished in March 2025 in Hangzhou.
- Operation Flow
- When the dog walks, sensors detect muscle signals (sEMG) from the healthy forelimb. These signals are processed to predict the movement intention of the impaired hindlimb, triggering linear actuators in real time. This active, intuitive assistance ensures natural movement, aiding rehabilitation efficiently.
