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Biologically Inspired Robotics
As the quality of life is rising constantly, the fitness industry has developed quickly, and the innovation and development of fitness equipment
has been in high demand. In this chapter, a new type of fitness cycle
is introduced, the so-called Bionic Fitness Cycle (Bio-Cycle), which can
be driven using either hands or legs or any combination of any hand
and leg. By changing the riding mode, the user can do many different exercises such as stair-climbing, cheetah-like running, horse-like
walking, and so on, as well as cycling. The new motion modes and
unique transmission mechanism are analyzed, followed by the design
of a four-drive transmission system. After the ergonomical design of
the structure, a compound resistance system based on electromagnetic
principles is analyzed and its principle for control and exercise motion
determination is introduced. Finally, a Bio-Cycle prototype is developed and tested.
3.1 Introduction
Due to the high amount of stress that people are under in their daily lives
and work, more attention is given to physical exercise and relaxation. In this
trend, there is a high demand for innovation in the fitness industry; many
institutes and companies have been involved in the research and development of fitness equipment. By increasing the exercise mode of the fitness
apparatus and improving their interaction, the new generations of fitness
apparatus are more intersting and effective (Wang 2008).
The fitness cycle is a popular kind of fitness equipment both at home and
in the gym. It derives from a road bike and follows the bike’s exercise form.
At present, by the style of its structure, the fitness cycle can be classified
into three types: upright cycle, recumbent cycle, and hand cycle, as shown in
Figure 3.1. The upright cycle and recumbent cycle use two different riding
postures of the normal fitness cycle. In contrast to the former two, the hand
cycle is driven by hand and is only for hand exercise; however, its transmission mechanism is the same as that of the traditional bike. Many different
fitness cycles have been developed in the past years; however, most improvements have focused on comfort and safety rather than on their drive mechanism and riding form.
The Bio-Cycle introduced in this study provides a brand new sports
concept. With a four-drive transmission system, it can be driven by either
hands or legs or any combination of any hand and leg. When riding the
Bio-Cycle, the user can change the riding mode easily. Its most prominent
feature is that users can ride it using the bionic mode of cheetah-like riding. Different from traditional fitness cycles, it can be driven by hands and
legs to imitate a cheetah or a horse’s run. Its novelty is not only that it can
Biologically Inspired Robotics
As the quality of life is rising constantly, the fitness industry has developed quickly, and the innovation and development of fitness equipment
has been in high demand. In this chapter, a new type of fitness cycle
is introduced, the so-called Bionic Fitness Cycle (Bio-Cycle), which can
be driven using either hands or legs or any combination of any hand
and leg. By changing the riding mode, the user can do many different exercises such as stair-climbing, cheetah-like running, horse-like
walking, and so on, as well as cycling. The new motion modes and
unique transmission mechanism are analyzed, followed by the design
of a four-drive transmission system. After the ergonomical design of
the structure, a compound resistance system based on electromagnetic
principles is analyzed and its principle for control and exercise motion
determination is introduced. Finally, a Bio-Cycle prototype is developed and tested.
3.1 Introduction
Due to the high amount of stress that people are under in their daily lives
and work, more attention is given to physical exercise and relaxation. In this
trend, there is a high demand for innovation in the fitness industry; many
institutes and companies have been involved in the research and development of fitness equipment. By increasing the exercise mode of the fitness
apparatus and improving their interaction, the new generations of fitness
apparatus are more intersting and effective (Wang 2008).
The fitness cycle is a popular kind of fitness equipment both at home and
in the gym. It derives from a road bike and follows the bike’s exercise form.
At present, by the style of its structure, the fitness cycle can be classified
into three types: upright cycle, recumbent cycle, and hand cycle, as shown in
Figure 3.1. The upright cycle and recumbent cycle use two different riding
postures of the normal fitness cycle. In contrast to the former two, the hand
cycle is driven by hand and is only for hand exercise; however, its transmission mechanism is the same as that of the traditional bike. Many different
fitness cycles have been developed in the past years; however, most improvements have focused on comfort and safety rather than on their drive mechanism and riding form.
The Bio-Cycle introduced in this study provides a brand new sports
concept. With a four-drive transmission system, it can be driven by either
hands or legs or any combination of any hand and leg. When riding the
Bio-Cycle, the user can change the riding mode easily. Its most prominent
feature is that users can ride it using the bionic mode of cheetah-like riding. Different from traditional fitness cycles, it can be driven by hands and
legs to imitate a cheetah or a horse’s run. Its novelty is not only that it can