Standard Test Method for Evaluating Exoskeleton Fall Risk due to Stumbling

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 There is strong evidence that exoskeletons can physically augment and assist users. They are typically designed and optimized with specific tasks in mind and initially tested in controlled lab or field settings. However, in the real world exoskeletons encounter less structured environments and situations (for example, hospital rooms, factory floors, construction sites, or even personal homes). In order to accelerate the adoption of exoskeletons in society, understanding their safety in the presence of perturbations is helpful. The testing results of the exoskeleton shall describe the extent to which the exoskeleton improves, inhibits, or maintains a user’s ability to recover from stumbles, thus providing exoskeleton wearers and prescribers (for example, patients, clinicians, industry leaders, factory workers) with additional information about device performance and expectations.  
5.2 The standard test apparatus and setup (see Section 6) is specified to be easily fabricated and implemented in gait or motion analysis laboratories. Variants of the apparatus, control algorithm, and test setup are acceptable to allow implementation in various lab settings with ranging experimental capabilities. The standard test setup and apparatus can also be used to support training and establish proficiency of exoskeleton users, as well as provide manufacturers with information about the performance of their exoskeleton(s) for tasks.
SCOPE
1.1 Purpose:  
1.1.1 The purpose of this test method is to evaluate the extent to which an exoskeleton (see Section 3) improves, inhibits, or maintains (that is, does not affect) a user’s ability to recover from a stumble perturbation.  
1.1.2 Exoskeletons are designed to assist specific tasks and initially tested in controlled lab or controlled field settings. However, in the real world exoskeletons encounter less structured environments and situations (for example, hospital rooms, factory floors, construction sites). Even without exoskeletons people will stumble (that is, trip) or scuff their foot. It would be helpful to understand how wearing an exoskeleton affects a person’s ability to recover from a stumble perturbation. Is one’s ability to recover hampered, enhanced, or unaltered when using an exoskeleton? This test method specifies test setup, procedure, and recording to standardize testing exoskeleton user stumble recovery.  
1.2 Performing Location—This test method shall be performed in a testing laboratory where the specified apparatus and environmental conditions are available and implemented.  
1.3 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are not precise mathematical conversions to inch-pound units. They are close approximate equivalents for the purpose of specifying material dimensions or quantities that are readily available to avoid excessive fabrication costs of test apparatuses while maintaining repeatability and reproducibility of the test method results. These values given in parentheses are provided for information only and are not considered standard.  
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
1.5 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

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This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: F3578 − 22
Standard Test Method for
1
Evaluating Exoskeleton Fall Risk due to Stumbling
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F3578; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
1.1 Purpose:
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
1.1.1 The purpose of this test method is to evaluate the
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
extent to which an exoskeleton (see Section 3) improves,
inhibits, or maintains (that is, does not affect) a user’s ability to
2. Referenced Documents
recover from a stumble perturbation.
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
1.1.2 Exoskeletons are designed to assist specific tasks and
F3323 Terminology for Exoskeletons and Exosuits
initially tested in controlled lab or controlled field settings.
F3427 Practice for Documenting Environmental Conditions
However, in the real world exoskeletons encounter less struc-
for Utilization with Exoskeleton Test Methods
tured environments and situations (for example, hospital
F3443 Practice for Load Handling When Using an Exoskel-
rooms, factory floors, construction sites). Even without exo-
eton
skeletons people will stumble (that is, trip) or scuff their foot.
F3474 Practice for Establishing Exoskeleton Functional Er-
It would be helpful to understand how wearing an exoskeleton
gonomic Parameters and Test Metrics
affects a person’s ability to recover from a stumble perturba-
tion. Is one’s ability to recover hampered, enhanced, or
3. Terminology
unaltered when using an exoskeleton? This test method speci-
3.1 General terminology for ASTM Committee F48 stan-
fies test setup, procedure, and recording to standardize testing
dards is listed in Terminology F3323. Terminology specific to
exoskeleton user stumble recovery.
this standard are shown in this section.
1.2 Performing Location—This test method shall be per-
3.2 Definitions:
formed in a testing laboratory where the specified apparatus
3.2.1 apparatus, n—a structure, object, test component, or
and environmental conditions are available and implemented.
artifactthereof,foundorplacedinanenvironmentandusedfor
1.3 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded
a test.
as the standard.The values given in parentheses are not precise
3.2.2 artifact, n—a representative of real structure(s),
mathematical conversions to inch-pound units. They are close
object(s), or test component(s) and used for a test.
approximate equivalents for the purpose of specifying material
3.2.3 perturbation, n—external disruption to body move-
dimensions or quantities that are readily available to avoid
excessive fabrication costs of test apparatuses while maintain- ment; in this standard, a perturbation specifically refers to a
disruption to the lower limb trajectory during swing phase of
ing repeatability and reproducibility of the test method results.
These values given in parentheses are provided for information gait due to an obstacle.
only and are not considered standard.
3.2.4 scuff, n—perturbation to the bottom of the foot during
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the swing phase.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
3.2.5 stumble, n—the act of tripping or losing balance as a
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
result of a perturbation to the front of the foot/toe during swing
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
phase.
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
4. Summary of Test Method
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
4.1 The task for this test method, exoskeleton user stumble
recovery, is defined as the exoskeleton user stumbling during
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F48 on
2
Exoskeletons and Exosuits and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F48.02 For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
on Human Factors and Ergonomics. contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Current edition approved June 15, 2022. Published July 2022. DOI: 10.1520/ Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
F3578-22. the ASTM website.
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