Exoskeletons have been helping paraplegic patients walk for years, but the latest development by KAIST is a little different. The WalkON Suit F1 can walk up to a patient sitting in a wheelchair and wrap around the legs and body, allowing the user to get up and walk.
Professor Kyung-chul Kong of KAIST’s Department of Mechanical Engineering has been working on exoskeletons for about 10 years, with the first WalkON suit unveiled in 2016. By 2020, the researchers increased walking speed to 3.2 km/h (1.98 miles per hour). ) and launched the 4th generation prototype at the Cybathlon in Switzerland.
This “Cyborg Olympics” was launched in 2016 by ETH Zurich to foster advances in assistive technology. The first event was held near Zurich, with teams from 25 countries and 66 “pilots” competing for attention. Four years later, pilots wearing KAIST’s WalkON Suit 4.0 placed first and third in an exoskeleton racing event. The 3rd Cybathlon was held last weekend, and Professor Kong’s team implemented the latest developments from WalkON engineers.
WalkON Suit F1: Next-generation exoskeleton that walks on its own
While other exoskeletons require a caregiver to lift paralyzed patients out of their wheelchairs before strapping them into assistive devices, the WalkON Suit F1 can “walk on its own like a humanoid robot” to get closer to patients. It features a front docking system, allowing paraplegic users to remain seated as the exoskeleton attaches around the patient’s body and legs.
To prevent falls when the user enters a standing position, a system has been introduced that “actively controls the center of weight against gravity.” His overall balance has been tweaked to allow him to use both hands while standing upright, allowing him to perform short bursts without the need for a supporting cane. The powerful motor and control algorithms have been significantly improved compared to previous versions, and the setup also supports visual recognition for obstacle detection.
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Seung-hwan Kim, a paraplegic and staff researcher at the Institute of Engineering, served as the pilot for the 2024 Cybathlon exoskeleton competition. While some teams traveled to Switzerland to compete, Professor Cong’s team will live its efforts from special facilities at the company he founded in 2017 to commercialize wearable robot Angel Robotics. I chose to broadcast it.
Teams are required to perform limited tasks such as walking sideways between narrow chairs, moving boxes, walking freely without crutches, walking through narrow doors and closing them behind them, and preparing meals in the kitchen. Challenge yourself to complete different missions within the time. ”
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Kim and WalkON Suite F1 took 6 minutes and 41 seconds to complete all missions, taking first place. Second place went to a team from Switzerland, and third place went to engineers from Thailand, but neither was able to complete all tasks within the 10-minute time limit.
“The various know-how and core technologies accumulated through the preparation of this contest will contribute to the further development and popularization of wearable robots, and inspire imagination about the future of wearable robots and how they will change our daily lives. ” said a KAIST press release detailing the win.
WalkON Suit F1: Next-generation exoskeleton that walks on its own
Source: KAIST
