The Sustainable Assessment for a Rehabilitation Lower Limb Exoskeleton

Lower limb rehabilitation is crucial for improving mobility and quality of life for individuals with movement impairments. To address this need, a lower limb exoskeleton is being developed at the University of Gävle, marking the transition from laboratory-based research to the possibility of home-based rehabilitation solutions. The current prototype is constructed from aluminum, but ongoing investigations are exploring alternative materials, including Glass Fiber Reinforced Composites (GFRC) and Polycarbonate or Polylactic acid (PC/PLA), which can be produced via 3D printing. This study used SimaPro v9.3 software along with the Ecoinvent v3.8 environmental database and the ReCiPe 2016 impact assessment method, to perform a comprehensive Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of an exoskeleton and their weight for each selected material. The analysis considered multiple environmental impact categories, including midpoint and endpoint scores, to evaluate the sustainability of different material choices. The results showed that GFRC and PC/PLA materials are less harmful and offer better solutions compared to the aluminum alloy. Therefore, PC/PLA appears to be the best option for reducing environmental impacts and weight while maintaining the exoskeleton's functionality, making it a promising choice for widespread use in home rehabilitation settings.