Exploring user requirements for a lower body soft exoskeleton to assist mobility

The XoSoft (www.xosoft.eu) project - funded under the European Union's Horizon 2020 framework programme - aims to develop a lower body soft exoskeleton to assist adults with mobility impairments. The XoSoft concept is being developed via an iterative user centered design process, with user requirements driving technical innovations. This paper describes a semistructured interview study undertaken in the initial stages of the project to determine Primary User (PU) and Secondary User (SU) requirements in relation to the function and design of the XoSoft concept. Fifteen PUs and 26 SUs were interviewed to explore their needs for mobility assistance, their experiences and requirements of mobility-related assistive devices, and their opinions on an initial portrayal of the XoSoft concept. Users provided valuable insights into their requirements in the following domains: desired functions and benefits of a device, practicability, training and support, design and aesthetics, and costs. Opinions of PUs and SUs of the XoSoft concept were largely positive, and a number of valuable design considerations were highlighted. The findings of this study will inform the design brief and technical specifications for XoSoft, and will assist the development of an alpha-prototype of the concept. Our results will also contribute to the evidence base available to all involved in the research and development of assistive devices for mobility, by giving voice to users and describing their needs/ wants in relation to such devices.