In her dissertation, bioengineer Tricomi focuses on soft exoskeletons that assist with walking and can be worn like clothing. What makes her work special is that she not only developed the scientific foundation but also, quite literally, a walkable product. “The system detects how fast or slow the person is moving, adapts to the weight of their legs, and provides individualised support accordingly,” explains the researcher from the Technical University of Munich (TUM).

Robotic shorts work via plug-and-play

Her Smart Robotic Shorts require no setup; they can be put on and are ready to use in just a few minutes. They work on a “plug-and-play” basis, so to speak. As soon as the robotic shorts are on, two thin wires—which run from the thigh to the hip belt—pull upward simultaneously, taking some of the strain off the hamstrings. A sensor attached to the thigh strap measures the angle and speed of the legs. The device sends a signal to the motors precisely at the transition into the swing phase. It doesn’t matter whether an older person or an athletic teenager wears the robotic shorts.

Enrica Tricomi defended her doctoral dissertation at Heidelberg University. Last March, she moved to TUM, where she is now working as a postdoctoral researcher in Prof. Lorenzo Masia’s Chair of Intelligent Bio-Robotic Systems.

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Video of the Daimler and Benz Foundation - www.youtube.com/watch

The Bertha Benz Prize, worth 15,000 euros, is awarded to female engineers whose doctoral research has made a significant contribution to society. With this award, the Daimler and Benz Foundation aims specifically to recognise women in engineering disciplines and support their professional careers. The prize embodies curiosity, courage, perseverance, and a pioneering spirit in the spirit of its namesake, Bertha Benz, who undertook the world’s first long-distance journey in an automobile in 1888. 

See also: https://www.daimler-benz-stiftung.de/format/bertha-benz-preis/

Text: Andreas Schmitz