Investigation of Trajectory Tracking Control in Hip Joints of Lower-Limb Exoskeletons Using SSA-Fuzzy PID Optimization

The application of lower-limb exoskeleton robots in rehabilitation is becoming more prevalent, where the precision of control and the speed of response are essential for effective movement tracking. This study tackles the challenge of optimizing both control accuracy and response speed in trajectory tracking for lower-limb exoskeleton hip robots. We introduce an optimization strategy that integrates the Sparrow Search Algorithm (SSA) with fuzzy Proportional-Integral-Derivative (PID) control. This approach addresses the inefficiencies and time-consuming process of manual parameter tuning, thereby improving trajectory tracking performance. First, recognizing the complexity of hip joint motion, which involves multiple degrees of freedom and intricate dynamics, we employed the Lagrangian method. This method is particularly effective for handling nonlinear systems and simplifying the modeling process, allowing for the development of a dynamic model for the hip joint. The SSA is subsequently utilized for the online self-tuning optimization of both the proportional and quantization factors within the fuzzy PID controller. Simulation experiments confirm the efficacy of this strategy in tracking hip joint trajectories during flat walking and standing hip flexion rehabilitation exercises. Experimental results from diverse test populations demonstrate that SSA-fuzzy PID control improves response times by 27.8% (for flat walking) and 30% (for standing hip flexion) when compared to traditional PID control, and by 6% and 2%, respectively, relative to fuzzy PID control. Regarding tracking accuracy, the SSA-fuzzy PID approach increases accuracy by 81.4% (for flat walking) and 80% (for standing hip flexion) when compared to PID control, and by 57.5% and 56.8% relative to fuzzy PID control. The proposed strategy significantly improves both control accuracy and response speed, offering substantial theoretical support for rehabilitation training in individuals with lower-limb impairments. Moreover, in comparison to existing methods, this approach uniquely tackles the challenges of parameter tuning and optimization, presenting a more efficient solution for trajectory tracking in exoskeleton systems.