Next-gen exoskeleton walks to its users—suits up automatically
CheckMag
For people with complete paralysis, the dream of walking independently has often remained just that—a dream. But researchers at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) have turned that dream into reality with their latest innovation: the WalkON Suit F1. This groundbreaking wearable robot not only assists with walking but also walks to the user, allowing them to suit up directly from their wheelchair without assistance.Santiago Nino 👁 Published 🇫🇷 🇪🇸 ...
Since 2015, Professor Kyoungchul Kong and his team have been developing the WalkON Suit to help individuals with the most severe cases of paraplegia, categorized as ASIA Impairment Scale–A. The journey started with WalkON Suit 1 in 2016 and reached a milestone with WalkON Suit 4 in 2020, achieving walking speeds of 3.2 km/h—comparable to natural walking speeds. Now, the WalkON Suit F1 has not only overcome the challenge of independent donning but also achieved global recognition.
Triumph at Cybathlon 2024
The WalkON Suit F1 won gold at the 2024 Cybathlon, an international competition that showcases assistive technologies for people with disabilities. Piloted by Seunghwan Kim, the suit completed all challenges in an impressive 6 minutes and 41 seconds. The course included tasks like sidestepping between chairs, carrying boxes, and even food preparation. The suit’s AI-powered obstacle detection and self-docking capabilities played a crucial role in its victory, allowing seamless navigation through complex environments. This was the team's second gold medal victory, having taken home the gold during the 2020 Cybathlon as well.
Engineering Excellence and Future Potential
The WalkON Suit F1 is packed with impressive technology. KAIST engineers, in collaboration with Angel Robotics, doubled the output density of the motor and reducer modules and tripled motor driver control performance compared to previous models. The AI and visual recognition systems allow the suit to detect and navigate obstacles effectively, and an AI board supports neural network applications. The suit can also calculate and maintain its center of gravity, allowing it to remain standing, even when pushed. These features allow users to walk hands-free without a cane, offering unparalleled mobility.
Setting the WalkOn Suit F1 apart, is its ability to walk towards, and mold itself seamlessly onto the user using a 'frontal docking method'. This innovation allows users to recall the suit from their wheelchairs, and - crucially, to don the suit themselves without any assistance, providing a true sense of independence in their ability to 'mobilize'.
The second consecutive gold medal win at Cybathlon 2024 cements WalkON Suit F1’s position as a leader in wearable robotics. As these robots become more accessible, they could transform everyday life for millions, enabling greater independence at home, work, and beyond.
