South Korea develops 'Iron Man' robotic exoskeleton to help paralyzed people walk.

(CLO) South Korean researchers have developed a robotic exoskeleton capable of autonomous movement, which could assist paralyzed individuals in activities such as walking, overcoming obstacles, and climbing stairs.

The Exoskeleton Laboratory (EXO) research group at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) is aiming to create a robot that can accompany people with disabilities in all their daily activities.

Seunghwan Kim, a paralyzed pilot from the KAIST team, cheers after completing all his missions. Photo: KAIST

Kim Seung-hwan, a member of the KAIST research team and himself paralyzed from the waist down, demonstrated the robot prototype. The device allowed him to move at a speed of 3.2 km/h, climb stairs, and perform sideways steps.

"The most remarkable thing about this robot is its ability to reach me anywhere, even when I'm sitting in a wheelchair, and help me stand up easily," Kim said.

A person testing EXO/KAIST products. Photo: EXO

The WalkON Suit F1 exoskeleton, constructed from aluminum and titanium, weighs 50 kg and is powered by 12 electric motors. This device mimics the natural movement of human joints, assisting users with mobility.

Park Jeong-su, a member of the team, shared: “The movie 'Iron Man' gave me the idea of ​​creating an exoskeleton to help people with mobility difficulties.”

Products by EXO/KAIST. Photo: EXO

With the ability to process 1000 signals per second, the sensor system located at the base and upper body of the robot helps the device predict user movements in advance, ensuring optimal balance.

Park explained that the lenses on the front of the robot act as a 'third pair of eyes,' helping to analyze the surrounding environment, determine the height of stairs, and detect obstacles.

Wearing the WalkON Suit F1, Kim Seung-hwan brilliantly won the gold medal in the exoskeleton category at Cybathlon 2024, an international event celebrating breakthroughs in assistive technology for people with disabilities.

Ha Trang (according to EXO, Reuters)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/han-quoc-phat-trien-khung-xuong-robot-iron-man-giup-nguoi-bi-liet-di-lai-post327141.html