Panasonic has revealed details of the robotic exoskeletons it believes will help workers and the elderly complete every day tasks.
A new video from the Japanese company shows a number of exoskeletons that it hopes will be used to augment the capabilities of factory workers, those in nursing jobs and people in care.
Factory and production workers incorrectly lifting heavy objects is a health and safety official's nightmare. To combat this, Panasonic's AWN-03 has been developed to reduce stress on its wearer's lower back by 15kg when lifting heavy items.
Panasonic said the suit was developed to sense when its wearer was lifting or holding a heavy object and then signal its motors to operate. To reduce the physical stress put on the body the robotic suit raises the upper body while pushing on the thighs. A separate robotic suit, PLN-01 is being developed by the Activelink division of Panasonic to allow those walking and running to move easily.
The suits from Panasonic have been under development for some time; in 2015 the company revealed it was developing the powerloader exoskeleton.
But it isn't the only company producing exoskeletons to improve human capabilities. Darpa is also producing a soft exoskeleton that fits closely to the human body.
One area exoskeletons have already made a difference in is healthcare. At the 2014 Brazil World Cup a paralysed person wearing a brain-controlled exoskeleton kicked the first ball of the tournament. While an ankle exoskeleton that will harness the body's power to aid mobility has been developed by researchers in the US.
Panasonic is also working to produce robotic aids for the elderly and those working in healthcare. To help tackle Japan's ageing population the company showed how it can help those in care by lifting them from their beds.
The 'self-reliance support robot' from the company, according to a press statement, aims to help "assist the elderly when moving from the bed to the restroom, chairs etc. and empowers them to perform everyday tasks"
The robot, which is akin to an electric mobility device, can help the person in care to lift themselves from the position they are in and support them as they move around. The lifting mechanism is intended to stop a carer from having to use their physical strength to lift a person.
This article was originally published by WIRED UK
