South Korean Researchers Develop 'Iron Man' Exoskeleton to Aid Paraplegics

A South Korean research team has developed a cutting-edge wearable robot that helps paraplegic individuals walk, navigate obstacles, and climb stairs, according to Reuters. This innovative exoskeleton, named WalkON Suit F1, is designed to seamlessly integrate into the daily lives of people with disabilities.

The prototype, showcased by Kim Seung-hwan, a member of the KAIST Exoskeleton Laboratory team and himself a paraplegic, demonstrates impressive capabilities. The robot, weighing 50 kilograms (110 pounds), utilizes 12 electric motors to mimic human joint movements during walking.

"It can approach me wherever I am, even when I’m sitting in a wheelchair, and be worn to help me stand up, which is one of its most distinct features," Kim explained to Reuters.

Park Jeong-su, another member of the KAIST team, drew inspiration from the iconic "Iron Man" films, stating, "After watching Iron Man, I thought it would be great if I can help people with a robot in real life."

The WalkON Suit F1 is equipped with advanced sensors in its soles and upper body, monitoring over 1,000 signals per second to anticipate the user's intended movements and ensure balance.

"Lenses on the front of the robot work as eyes which analyse its surroundings, identify the height of stairs and detect obstacles to compensate for the lack of sensory ability of users with complete paraplegia," Park explained.

The suit's effectiveness was showcased at Cybathlon 2024, where Kim Seung-hwan won gold in the exoskeleton category.

"I wanted to tell my son .... that I also used to able to walk," said Kim. "I wanted to share a diverse range of experiences with him."