SmartHExo：Smart wearable hand exoskeleton system

What it does

SmartHExo is a wearable hand exoskeleton system used to assist in grasping. Through 4D printing intelligent manufacturing, it features personalization and lightweight, solving the problems of large volume and poor adaptability of traditional exoskeletons.

Your inspiration

My inspiration comes from the observation of traditional hand exoskeletons. Many traditional exoskeleton designs employ rigid joints and complex mechanical structures, which not only lead to a cumbersome assembly process but also often result in a relatively heavy weight due to material limitations. These factors directly affect the comfort of the wearer, increase the burden during use, and thereby reduce the user experience. Especially in the field of rehabilitation, it limits the efficiency of hand function recovery for patients. Worldwide, patients with hand dysfunction urgently need a more efficient and comfortable solution.

How it works

SmartHExo combines shape memory polymers (SMP) and 4D printing technology to create flexible finger structures with pre-programmed deformation paths, effectively avoiding the complex assembly and weight associated with traditional rigid hinges and restoring their preset shapes based on temperature. SmartHExo can be customized according to the specific hand shapes and biomechanical characteristics of different patients to ensure their comfort and effective assistance. The drive unit features a micro motor module with integrated current feedback function, which can precisely control the force and speed of finger movement while maintaining low power consumption. This system is powered by a compact lithium battery and can work continuously for approximately 4.2 hours under normal daily life activities. In addition, SmartHExo supports Bluetooth wireless connection and can be remotely controlled through a dedicated mobile application.

Design process

The design of SmartHExo has gone through multiple stages, evolving from the initial concept to a fully functional prototype. In the early stage, we attempted the traditional rigid segmented structure of the hand exoskeleton, but it was heavy, complex and lacked flexible movement. To address these issues, we adopted 4D printing technology and used shape memory polymers to create flexible integrated finger units with pre-programmed deformations. The first-generation prototype focused on verifying the deformation performance and material reliability of a single finger, achieving significant weight reduction, but the drive control system has not yet been optimized. Subsequently, we developed a micro motor module integrating current feedback, which improved the motion accuracy and reduced the power consumption. To enhance usability and interactivity, we have integrated Bluetooth connection and developed a companion mobile application for remote control and data monitoring. After continuous testing and improvement, SmartHExo has gradually matured into a lightweight, practical and highly customizable system, laying a solid foundation for clinical applications and commercial deployments.

How it is different

SmartHExo integrates 4D printing technology and shape memory polymers to achieve a truly one-piece, pre-programmed deformable finger structure. Unlike traditional designs that rely on rigid hinges and multiple assembly components, our approach significantly reduces the overall weight, with each finger unit weighing only between 2.3 and 3.2 grams, making the device lighter, more comfortable, and suitable for long-term wearing. SmartHExo offers personalized customized frameworks based on the shape of the patient's hand and biomechanical needs, breaking the limitations of standard, one-size-fits-all exoskeletons. In addition, the system also integrates a low-power integrated driver module. This lightweight, customizable 4D printing structure, combined with intelligent and user-friendly control functions, sets SmartHExo apart from existing solutions, making it a pioneering product in the field of wearable hand rehabilitation devices.

Future plans

The next stage of SmartHExo will focus on improving its intelligent control algorithm to achieve more natural and sensitive hand movements, thereby further enhancing the user experience. We will be committed to cooperating with rehabilitation centers and medical institutions to promote the wide adoption of our products and steadily expand production scale while maintaining cost-effectiveness. In the future, we will build a personalized soft exoskeleton ecosystem driven by 4D printing technology, gradually expanding from hand assistance to other limbs, and the application scenarios will be broader.

Awards

China Intelligent Manufacturing Design Award（Merit Award）