Repawse I-Exoskeleton yoBuyiselo lweZilwanyana eziFuywayo by Leijing Zhou

Repawse I-Exoskeleton yoBuyiselo lweZilwanyana eziFuywayo by Leijing Zhou is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2025 Ibhaso Lesilivere le-A' Design Award in Uyilo lokuKhathalela iZilwanyana, amaThoyizi, iMpahla kunye neeMveliso zeZilwanyana Competition Category.

IsilivereUkuKhathalela iZilwanyana· 2025

Repawse I-Exoskeleton yoBuyiselo lweZilwanyana eziFuywayo

by Leijing Zhou

Client: Zhejiang University

Ibhaso Lesilivere le-A' Design Award Winner in UkuKhathalela iZilwanyana Category

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The Design

About Repawse I-Exoskeleton yoBuyiselo lweZilwanyana eziFuywayo

IRepawse yi-exoskeleton yobuyiselo eyenzelwe izinja ezinokukhubazeka kwemilenze yangasemva. Iisensa ze-surface electromyography zifunda imiqondiso yezihlunu kumlenze wangaphambili osempilweni, kwaye i-microcontroller isebenzisa le miqondiso ukuqikelela injongo yokushukuma. Ii-linear actuators ke zishukumisa inkxaso yomlenze wangasemva ngexesha lokwenyani, ukuze ukuhamba kuhlale kulungelelene kwaye kungokwendalo. Isakhelo senziwe nge-aluminum alloy, umaleko wangaphakathi nge-memory foam ethambileyo, kwaye iintende zeenyawo ngerabha engatyibiliziyo. Amalungu ashicilelwe nge-3D esuka kwiiskena zomzimba ukuze zilingane ngokweyona ndlela kumzimba ngamnye kwaye zibe nokuthuthuzeleka okungakumbi.

The Recognition

About the Ibhaso Lesilivere le-A' Design Award

Repawse I-Exoskeleton yoBuyiselo lweZilwanyana eziFuywayo ngumphumeleli weIbhaso Lesilivere le-A' Design Award, ukuqatshelwa okuhlonitshwayo ngokungaqhelekanga okunikwa imiyilo yomgangatho ophezulu, entle nechukumisayo. Abaphumeleleyo beSilivere ziimveliso ezikhazimlayo kakhulu nezidala kakhulu ezibonisa ubungcali obuphawulekayo, italente nobukrelekrele babayili bazo. Repawse I-Exoskeleton yoBuyiselo lweZilwanyana eziFuywayo iyathenjwa ukuba ibe ngumsebenzi omhle womzekelo, onobungcali obuphawulekayo nezinto ezintsha ezinzulu. Lo myilo uphumeleleyo weIbhaso Lesilivere le-A' Design Award yimveliso ebonakalayo kakhulu, ethandwayo enceda kwaye inyusa imida yobugcisa, inzululwazi, uyilo kunye nobuchwephesha. Repawse I-Exoskeleton yoBuyiselo lweZilwanyana eziFuywayo yimveliso enomona omkhulu kuyo evusa iinqwenelo, izisa iimvakalelo ezintle kwaye ivuselela ukumangaliswa nokumangala.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

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.
Team Members: Menghan Li
Leijing Zhou
Xinmiao Shen
Xiaofei Gong
Xiaotong Guan
Ding Ding
Jinjie Li
Qianyi Wang
Keyin Chen
Zixiang Wang
Zihan Zhang