Suit Yourself

One of the hottest topics in bleeding-edge assistive technology research in recent years has been exoskeletons. These devices most commonly attach to the waist or legs to give their wearer an extra boost as they walk or perform a physically strenuous task. For someone that is recovering from an injury, dealing with a neuromuscular disease, or working in a very physically demanding job, the assistance provided by an exoskeleton may be invaluable.

But at this early stage of the game, nearly all exoskeletons are impractical for real-world use. There is generally a complex process involved in getting someone suited up — from attaching the device to the user to calibration — that requires the assistance of a number of trained experts in the field. Before exoskeletons can really make their mark on the world, developers will need to make them as easy to wear as a pair of jeans.

Researchers at The Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology are attempting to do just that. And in the process, they have even upped the ante. Their exoskeleton, called the WalkON Suit F1, does more than just give a boost — it can help even completely paralyzed individuals to walk upright. And it does not require a team of engineers to use it — it has a feature something like Tesla’s Smart Summon that will cause the legs to walk themselves to their owner, then move themselves into position for installation.

Whereas most exoskeletons attach from the rear, the WalkON Suit F1 employs a frontal-docking method such that users can access the suit right from their wheelchair. First, the device will walk itself in front of the user and align itself for use. Once it is correctly aligned, the user can initiate the attachment process, which secures the suit's support around their legs, waist, and torso.

The exoskeleton is practically a complete humanoid robot in its own right. It comes equipped with an AI control board that runs machine learning algorithms that process visual data for navigation. It is also loaded down with sensors and control algorithms that help it to maintain its stability. It was demonstrated that even if you purposely try to push the exoskeleton over, it can easily keep its balance and stay on its feet.

When using the WalkON Suit F1, the wearer is able to walk at a normal human pace. That, combined with the ease of use, could make this exoskeleton a great help for those with severe cases of paralysis.

The researchers are planning to put their system through its paces at this year’s Cybathlon, which is something like the Olympics for robots. Aside from showing off, this might also reveal some areas in need of refinement, which might ultimately lead to advancements that make exoskeletons a commonplace technology.