  Spinal cord injuries (SCIs) generally result in sensory and mobility
impairments, with torso instability being particularly debilitating. Existing
torso stabilisers are often rigid and restrictive. This paper presents an early
investigation into a non-restrictive 1 degree-of-freedom (DoF) mechanical torso
stabiliser inspired by devices such as centrifugal clutches and seat-belt
mechanisms. Firstly, the paper presents a motion-capture (MoCap) and
OpenSim-based kinematic analysis of the cable-based system to understand
requisite device characteristics. The simulated evaluation resulted in the
cable-based device to require 55-60cm of unrestricted travel, and to lock at a
threshold cable velocity of 80-100cm/sec. Next, the developed 1-DoF device is
introduced. The proposed mechanical device is transparent during activities of
daily living, and transitions to compliant blocking when incipient fall is
detected. Prototype behaviour was then validated using a MoCap-based kinematic
analysis to verify non-restrictive movement, reliable transition to blocking,
and compliance of the blocking.
