In a nutshell: Inspired by Iron Man, South Korean researchers have developed a lightweight wearable robot designed to help wheelchair users walk. Known as the WalkON Suit F1, this advanced exoskeleton attaches to individuals with paraplegia, providing powered leg mobility to enable them to navigate their surroundings on foot.
The researchers are from the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology’s (KAIST) Exoskeleton Lab. Kim Seung-hwan, a team member who uses a wheelchair himself, demonstrated the prototype’s capabilities to Reuters.
The 110-pound suit is powered by a dozen motors that replicate natural joint movements during walking. Sensors embedded throughout the suit monitor over 1,000 data points per second, allowing it to anticipate the user’s intended motion and maintain proper balance. It also features camera vision that scans the environment, identifies obstacles and elevation changes, and compensates for the user’s limited enviro
