A Bionic Knee Exoskeleton Design with Variable Stiffness via Rope-Based Artificial Muscle Actuation.

Shikai Jin, Bin Liu, Zhuo Wang

Abstract read

In one paragraph

Article in Biomimetics (Basel, Switzerland), 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it

0cells of the map it votes in

1citing papers in PubMed

–field-weighted citation impact

1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

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Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

Mechatronic Design and Development of a Lower-Limb Exoskeleton System Based on Knee Joint Biomechanical Principles Using Electro-Pneumatic Actuation with an Embedded EMG Controller for Experimental Validation in Elderly Gait Rehabilitation Support.Bioengineering (Basel, Switzerland) · 2026
Article

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

3 authors.

Shikai JinSchool of Mechanical Engineering, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an 710072, China.

Bin LiuSchool of Mechanical Engineering, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an 710072, China.

Zhuo WangSchool of Mechanical Engineering, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an 710072, China.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

This paper presents a novel design for a bionic knee exoskeleton equipped with a variable stiffness actuator based on rope-driven artificial muscles. To meet the varying stiffness requirements of the knee joint across different gait modes, the actuator dynamically switches between multiple rope bundle configurations, thereby enabling effective stiffness modulation. A mathematical model of the knee exoskeleton is developed, and the mechanical properties of the selected flexible aramid fiber ropes under tensile loading are analyzed through both theoretical and experimental approaches. Furthermore, a control framework for the exoskeleton system is proposed. Wearable experiments are conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of the variable stiffness actuation in improving compliance and comfort across various gait patterns. Electromyography (EMG) results further demonstrate that the exoskeleton provides a compensatory effect on the rectus femoris muscle.

Indexed as

artificial muscleelastic actuatorknee exoskeletonvariable stiffness mechanism

Identifiers

PMID40710237

DOI10.3390/biomimetics10070424

PMCPMC12292464

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.