ABOUT

Our motivation

As Project MARCH (Motor Assisted Robotic Chassis for Humans, abbr.), we have the vision that we can improve the quality of life for people with paraplegia by using exoskeleton technology. An exoskeleton is a motorized robotic harness which enables people with paraplegia to stand up and walk again. Project MARCH develops a new exoskeleton each year. We want to stimulate the technological innovation of exoskeletons by developing a new exoskeleton each year, whilst always challenging ourselves to think of new solutions. A big part of our project is to raise awareness so that more and more people know about the existence and possibilities of exoskeleton technology.

What drives us:

That so much can still be achieved in the world of biomedical technology. And of course, we hope to contribute to it! People with paralyzed or badly functioning legs are currently bound to a wheelchair for the rest of their life. In daily life, such a wheelchair can be experienced as a constraint. Simple things, such as doing groceries, cooking or walking up the stairs are a challenge, or sometimes even impossible. An exoskeleton can possibly be a solution for this in the future!

With the exoskeleton we create a larger freedom of movement. Naturally, this has practical benefits. The person that wears the suit can stand up and go wherever he or she wants. Moreover, they can speak with their friends and family on eye level. This is often experienced as something with great emotional value.

Walking in an exoskeleton also has physical benefits. The blood flow in the legs improves significantly. The muscles grow stronger, which ensures an overall better physical condition. The chances of thrombosis or pressure ulcers diminish. Finally, the bowel function improves. All of these physical benefits are unique for training in an exoskeleton.

The Project

Project MARCH is a non-profit student team. Our team consists of people from various backgrounds and years of studies. All of us set aside our studies for a year, in order to fully commit ourselves to the development of an all-around and user-friendly exoskeleton. From this year on, Project MARCH is located in the Dream Hall on the TU Delft campus. The Dream Hall strives to an ecosystem around robotics which attracts the best researchers, multinationals, and startups and through that plays a progressive role in the development of the next generation of robotics.

Each year a new Project MARCH team is composed. From September up to the end of the summer each year a new exoskeleton is developed. Throughout the year, design choices and project development is thoroughly documented, which we find extremely important. A lot of attention is given to the handover of the project from one team to the next. This way we make sure that the teams that come after us have a proper base to built an as good as possible new design.

Project MARCH is a unique project. How do we do that?

The project

Co-creation

This is one of the core principles of our project. The cooperation with the pilot is indispensable for the development of a new exoskeleton. This is also true for the Sint Maartenskliniek. The pilot and therapists know as no other which needs exist and can experience in practice what does, and what does not work.

Focus on innovation

We are purely focused on the development, not on the commercial part of building an exoskeleton. This enables us to fixate on user friendliness and fine motor skills for daily usage. The yearly cycle also enables us to innovate fast.

A unique construction

Each year a new team accepts the challenge to improve the last prototype. The students set aside their studies voluntarily for an entire year and are all fully motivated to give their all that year. Because of the yearly cycle, students remain motivated, sharp, and innovative.

We accept the challenge

The principle of taking up challenges returns everywhere in Project MARCH. As an individual, but naturally also as a team. From designing a specific part, all the way to winning the Cybathlon!

Usage of our own research

Each year, the exoskeleton of the previous year is analysed. Partially based on this analysis the new exoskeleton is further developed. We are often advised by old-team members. Their gained knowledge and experience is extremely valuable to us.

The goal:

Completing all 10 obstacles of the CYBATHLON 2024 in 10 minutes

Project MARCH IX's goal is to develop an exoskeleton that combines innovations from previous years’ exoskeletons, which we will take to the CYBATHLON 2024. This exoskeleton will need to be able to perform various daily tasks which require features such as self-balancing, camera-assisted path forming, and a new range of motion of the ankle joints.

Completing the CYBATHLON 2024 will allow us to show the progress exoskeletons have made in the last years, and will show that exoskeletons have the potential to enable people with paraplegia to autonomously perform various daily life actions, promoting the vision of a future where everyone can be mobile.