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In this study, an optimization-based approach for simulating the walking motion of a digital human model is presented. A spatial skeletal model having 55 degrees of freedom is used to demonstrate the approach. Design variables are the joint angle profiles. Walking motion is generated by minimizing the mechanical energy subjected to basic physical and kinematical constraints. A formulation for symmetric and periodic normal walking is developed and results are presented. Backpack and ground reaction forces are taken into account in the current formulation, and the effects of the backpack on normal walking are discussed.

This paper presents new capabilities of the virtual-human Santos™ introduced last year. Santos™ is an avatar that has extensive modeling and simulation features. It is a digital human model with over 100 degrees-of-freedom (DOF), where the hand model has 25 DOF, direct optimization-based method, and real-human like appearance. The newly developed analysis includes (1) a 25-DOF hand model that is the first step to study hand grasping; (2) posture prediction advances such as multiple end-effectors (two arms, two arms + head + legs), real-time inverse kinematics for posture prediction for any points, vision functionality; (3) dynamic motion prediction with external loads; and (4) musculosteletal modeling that includes determining muscle forces, and muscle stress.