Low-force human-human hand interactions induce gait changes through sensorimotor engagement instead of direct mechanical effects.

ABSTRACT: Physical human-robot interactions (pHRI) often provide mechanical force and power to aid walking without requiring voluntary effort from the human. Alternatively, principles of physical human-human interactions (pHHI) can inspire pHRI that aids walking by engaging human sensorimotor processes. We hypothesize that low-force pHHI can intuitively induce a person to alter their walking through haptic communication. In our experiment, an expert partner dancer influenced novice participants to alter step frequency solely through hand interactions. Without prior instruction, training, or knowledge of the expert's goal, novices decreased step frequency 29% and increased step frequency 18% based on low forces (< 20 N) at the hand. Power transfer at the hands was 3-700 × smaller than what is necessa

SUBMITTER: Wu M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10864400 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature