Using a wearable robot to enhance the basic performance of the human body

SRI, the lab that gave the world mouse, Siri and surgical robots, is now trying to do more-his goal is to use a wearable robot (wearable robot) to enhance the basic performance of the human body, such as allowing people to load more and run faster.

Sri's robot research project is called "Superflex" (video), which started with DARPA-funded projects warrior the Web, and Boston Power was also involved, Their research aims to help soldiers improve their weight-bearing abilities (like carrying 100 pounds of heavy weights that feel as if they had only 50 pounds on their backs), reduce the loss of joints in their movements and improve their physical functioning, all through a smart "dress" that can be worn.

In fact, the concept of exoskeletons (exoskeleton) has been popular in the past few years, and it is thought that the project, which can be used for military purposes to help strengthen soldiers in the form of access to external machinery in humans, or to allow those who have paraplegia to walk upright, looks quite similar. But Rich Mahoney, director of Sri's robotics program, said, "Warrior Web program is an anti-exoskeleton (Anti-exoskeleton) project." "Because they have developed this wearable equipment, can be worn in clothing, people feel comfortable to wear, do not cause excessive interference in the equipment, when it senses that people's body energy in the decline, can at a reasonable time for the human body to provide energy."

In other words, it may also represent a more ideal robot: instead of replacing humans completely, it strengthens the human body's skills, allowing people to work more efficiently and with the ability to create a better life.

In the future, Sri's goal is to enable people to run faster, jump higher, and lifting through this wearable robot, enhancing the body's various functions. So they may also be able to expand the application of the technology to individual consumers, or physical rehabilitation of medical applications, no longer only for military purposes. Eventually, Mahoney says, he hopes it will become a platform-level technique to unearth more scenarios.