Life
Dirk Lefeber Head of Department of Mechanical Engineering, ULB/VUB The Robotics and Multibody Mechanics Research Group researches new actuators with adaptable compliance, dynamically balanced robots, robot assistants, rehabilitation robotics and multibody dynamics.
Aging isn’t only about the frail, but maintaining mobility is key to maintaining independence. Lefeber develops companion robots for children, as well as exoskeletons for the elderly. “What I am personally interested in is assistive devices to help people in their daily living. Things that can help people walk. You see elderly people who can walk for only 15 or 20 metres and then they get tired, they risk falling. We are building assistive devices to allow them to walk 200 metres instead.” The choice to stay in your own home is a big issue for seniors. “Not to
walk around in the woods but to move around your living room or kitchen.” he says. What will it look like? “Thats a big challenge. The devices are relatively bulky at the moment. What we are developing now will be more for ourselves, within 10 or 15 years these robots will be in our homes. We are not far from a scenario where we use exoskeletons for mobility.” mech.vub.ac.be
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