Exosuit system systems and methods for assisting, resisting and aligning core biomechanical functions

Abstract

Exosuit systems and methods according to various embodiments are described herein. The exosuit system can be a suit that is worn by a wearer on the outside of his or her body. It may be worn under the wearer's normal clothing, over their clothing, between layers of clothing, or may be the wearer's primary clothing itself. The exosuit may be assistive, as it physically assists the wearer in performing particular activities, or can provide other functionality such as communication to the wearer through physical expressions to the body, engagement of the environment, or capturing of information from the wearer.

1 .- 16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . An exercise assistance system for use on a human body, the system comprising:
 an exosuit configured to be worn on the human body as a garment, the exosuit comprising:
 a plurality of sensors; 
 a plurality of power layer segments that mimic musculature anatomy and movements of the human body; 
 communications circuitry; and 
 control circuitry coupled to the communications circuitry, the plurality of sensors, and the power layer segments, wherein the control circuitry is operative to: 
 determine a fitness level of a user wearing the exosuit, wherein the fitness level is less than a desired fitness level; and 
 activate at least one of the plurality of power layer segments such that a fitness improving resistance level is exerted by the exosuit onto the user in a manner that results in an improvement of the fitness level of the user over time. 
   
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the fitness improving resistance level is such that a perceived level of effort is nearly imperceptible, yet results in an improvement of the fitness level of the user over time. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the fitness improving resistance level is such that the user is intermittently subjected to resistance during user movement activity. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the control circuitry is operative to:
 access a database comprising fitness metrics associated with a user of the system; and   adjust the fitness improving resistance level based on the fitness level and the fitness metrics.   
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the plurality of power layer segments each comprise at least one removable resistance element, wherein the at least one removable resistance element is replaceable with another removable resistance element. 
     
     
         22 . An group exercise assistance system for use on a human body, the system comprising:
 a first exosuit configured to be worn by a first person, the first exosuit comprising:
 a plurality of sensors; 
 a plurality of power layer segments that mimic musculature anatomy and movements of the human body; 
 communications circuitry; and 
 control circuitry coupled to the communications circuitry, the plurality of sensors, and the power layer segments, wherein the control circuitry is operative to:
 communicate with at least a second exosuit to obtain second suit movement data, wherein the second exosuit is worn by a second person; and 
 activate at least one of the plurality of power layer segments to coordinate movements of the first exosuit with movements of the second exosuit based on the second suit movement data. 
 
   
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 22 , wherein the second person is a group class instructor. 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 22 , wherein the control circuitry is operative to:
 activate at least one of the plurality of power layer segments to coordinate movements of the first exosuit with movements of the second exosuit by applying exosuit enabled resistance to the first exosuit when the first person performs a coordinated movement.   
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 22 , wherein the control circuitry is operative to:
 handicap the first user by instructing the plurality of power layer segments to increase a resistance level of coordinated movements relative to a resistance level imposed on the second person.   
     
     
         26 . An exercise assistance system for use on a human body, the system comprising:
 an exosuit configured to be worn on the human body as a garment, the exosuit comprising:
 a plurality of sensors; 
 a plurality of power layer segments that mimic musculature anatomy and movements of the human body; 
 communications circuitry; and 
 control circuitry coupled to the communications circuitry, the plurality of sensors, and the power layer segments, wherein the control circuitry is operative to:
 monitor, via the plurality of sensors, movement of a user of the exosuit to obtain user data, wherein the user data comprises user movement and user response to changing forces; and 
 adjust a resistance level of at least one of the power layer segments based on the user data. 
 
   
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 25 , wherein the control circuitry is operative to:
 generate an exercise program based on the user data; and   selectively activate and deactivate at least one of the plurality of power layer segments based on the exercise program to apply exosuit enabled resistance to a user of the exosuit.   
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 25 , wherein the control circuitry is operative to:
 access a fitness test;   selectively activate and deactivate at least one of the plurality of power layer segments based on the fitness test; and   evaluate the user data obtained during the fitness test.