Bipedal locomotion training and performance evaluation device and method

An apparatus for simulating conditions of bipedal locomotion for a human subject, comprising:

• a conveyor defining a velocity;
• a force-measuring sensor;
• a restraint operably coupled to the sensor to measure a force applied to the restraint by a human subject;
• a controller configured to control the velocity of the conveyor based, at least in part, upon the force measured by the sensor;
• and wherein the sensor comprises a stereoscopic sensor adapted to detect the position of each leg of a human subject on the conveyor.

An apparatus for simulating forces and movement of a human subject during a physical activity, comprising:

• a base;
• a movable member mounted to the base, the movable member defining a velocity and receiving an input force applied to the movable member by a human subject;
• a force-generating device operably coupled to the movable member and applying a resistance force to the movable member;
• a sensor configured to provide a signal corresponding to at least one of the velocity of the movable member and an input force applied to the movable member by a human subject;
• and
• a controller configured to control the resistance force applied to the movable member by the force-generating device based, at least in part, on a signal provided by the sensor and a haptic equation incorporating an equation of motion of a human subject performing the physical activity being simulated.