South Korean researchers have developed a light-weight wearable robotic that may stroll as much as paraplegic customers and lock itself onto them, enabling them to stroll, maneuver obstacles and climb staircases.
The Exoskeleton Laboratory workforce on the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) mentioned their objective is to create a robotic that seamlessly integrates into the each day lives of people with disabilities.
Kim Seung-hwan, who’s himself a paraplegic and a part of the KAIST workforce, demonstrated the prototype which helped him stroll at a pace of three.2 kph (2 mph), climb a flight of stairs, and take sideways steps to slip right into a bench.
“It can approach me wherever I am, even when I’m sitting in a wheelchair, and be worn to help me stand up, which is one of its most distinct features,” Kim mentioned.
The powered exoskeleton, named “WalkON Suit F1,” options an aluminum and titanium composition to weigh in at 50 kilograms (110 kilos) and is powered by 12 digital motors that simulate the actions of human joints whereas strolling.
Park Jeong-su, one other member of the KAIST workforce, mentioned he was impressed by the film “Iron Man.” “After watching Iron Man, I thought it would be great if I can help people with a robot in real life.”
To make sure the consumer’s stability whereas strolling, the robotic is supplied with sensors on its soles and within the higher physique that monitor 1,000 alerts per second and anticipate the consumer’s supposed actions.
Lenses on the entrance of the robotic work as eyes that analyze its environment, determine the peak of stairs and detect obstacles to compensate for the shortage of sensory capability of customers with full paraplegia, Park mentioned.
Kim Seung-hwan gained the gold medal whereas carrying the WalkON Suit F1 within the exoskeleton class at Cybathlon 2024, which noticed builders with various bodily disabilities display assistive robots in eight classes.
“I wanted to tell my son that I also used to be able to walk. I wanted to share a diverse range of experiences with him,” mentioned Kim.
Source: www.dailysabah.com