South Korean Team Unveils 'Iron Man' Robot to Aid Paraplegics
A team of South Korean researchers has created a cutting-edge wearable robot designed to assist individuals with paraplegia in walking, navigating obstacles, and even climbing stairs. The Exoskeleton Laboratory team at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) has introduced a lightweight robot that can attach itself to users, providing them with the ability to move independently.
Kim Seung-hwan, a member of the KAIST team and a paraplegic himself, showcased the prototype by demonstrating its capabilities. The robot, named WalkON Suit F1, enabled Kim to walk at a speed of 3.2 kph (2 mph), ascend a flight of stairs, and execute sideways movements to sit on a bench. Kim highlighted a key feature of the robot, stating, "It can approach me wherever I am, even when I’m sitting in a wheelchair, and be worn to help me stand up."
Inspired by the movie "Iron Man," Park Jeong-su, another team member, expressed his motivation behind the project, saying, "After watching Iron Man, I thought it would be great if I can help people with a robot in real life." The WalkON Suit F1 is constructed using a combination of aluminium and titanium, weighing 50 kg (110 lb), and is powered by 12 electronic motors that mimic human joint movements during walking.
To ensure stability and safety while in use, the robot is equipped with sensors on its soles and upper body that analyse 1,000 signals per second to anticipate the user's movements. Additionally, the robot is fitted with lenses acting as eyes to assess its surroundings, identify stair heights, and detect obstacles, compensating for the sensory limitations of users with complete paraplegia, as explained by Park.
Kim Seung-hwan's remarkable achievement wearing the WalkON Suit F1 was winning a gold medal in the exoskeleton category at Cybathlon 2024. This event showcased developers with diverse physical disabilities demonstrating assistive robots across eight categories. Kim shared his heartfelt motivation behind his participation, stating, "I wanted to tell my son ... that I also used to able to walk. I wanted to share a diverse range of experiences with him."
South Korean researchers develop a lightweight wearable robot to aid paraplegics
The WalkON Suit F1 enables users to walk, climb stairs, and navigate obstacles
Inspired by "Iron Man," the robot is equipped with sensors and lenses for safety and stability
Source: REUTERS