Islamabad, Dec 24: Researchers from South Korea have developed a lightweight wearable robot designed to assist paraplegic users by enabling them to walk, navigate obstacles, and climb stairs. The device, created by the Exoskeleton Laboratory at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), aims to seamlessly integrate into the daily lives of people with disabilities.
Kim Seung-hwan, a paraplegic researcher on the KAIST team, demonstrated the prototype, which helped him walk at 3.2 km/h (2 mph), climb stairs, and move sideways to sit on a bench. Kim highlighted the robot’s unique ability to approach users, even when sitting in a wheelchair, and be worn to assist withstanding up.
The powered exoskeleton, named WalkON Suit F1, is made from a combination of aluminum and titanium, weighing 50 kg (110 lb). It is powered by 12 electronic motors that replicate the motion of human joints during walking. Park Jeong-su, another KAIST team member, cited the movie “Iron Man” as his inspiration for creating a real-world robot to help people with disabilities.
To maintain balance while walking, the robot has sensors in its soles and upper body that track 1,000 signals per second, predicting the user’s movements. Additionally, front-facing lenses act as “eyes,” analyzing the surroundings, determining stair heights, and detecting obstacles, helping users with complete paraplegia.
Kim Seung-hwan won a gold medal at Cybathlon 2024 in the exoskeleton category while wearing the WalkON Suit F1. The event showcased assistive robots developed by people with various physical disabilities. Kim expressed his desire to share experiences with his son, saying, “I wanted to tell my son that I used to be able to walk.”
