A Quasi-Static Model for Studying Physical Interaction Between a Soft Robotic Digit and a Human Finger

This paper presents the development of a framework based on a quasi-statics concept for modeling and analyzing the physical human-robot interaction in soft robotic hand exoskeletons used for rehabilitation and human performance augmentation. This framework provides both forward and inverse quasi-static formulations for the interaction between a soft robotic digit and a human finger which can be used for the calculation of angular motions, interaction forces, actuation torques, and stiffness at human joints. This is achieved by decoupling the dynamics of the soft robotic digit and the human finger with similar interaction forces acting on both sides. The presented theoretical models were validated by a series of numerical simulations based on a finite element model which replicates similar human-robot interaction. The comparison of the results obtained for the angular motion, interaction forces, and the estimated stiffness at the joints indicates the accuracy and effectiveness of the quasi-static models for predicting the human-robot interaction.