To help the physically impaired individuals to walk, navigate obstacles, and climb stairs, South Korean researchers have invented a lightweight wearable robot that latch itself on the users automatically.

The objective of the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) Exoskeleton Laboratory team underlines the intention to create a robot that can be used for day-to-day activities with ease for people with physical impairments.

Kim Seung-hwan, a member of the KAIST team and a paraplegic himself, showed the crowd the prototype by being able to walk at 3.2 kph (2 mph), climb stairs, and slide into a bench by taking sideways steps.

"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 said.

Named WalkON Suit F1 powered exoskeleton, the robot is said to weigh about 50 kg (110 lb) and is made of titanium and aluminum, and is propelled by 12 electronic motors that replicate the motions of human joints during walking.

Another KAIST team member, Park Jeong-su, claimed that the film "Iron Man" served as his inspiration. "After watching Iron Man, I thought it would be great if I can help people with a robot in real life."

The robot has sensors on its soles and upper torso that track 1,000 impulses per second and predict the user's intended motions to guarantee the user's balance while walking.

To make up for individuals with total paraplegia's lack of sensory abilities, the robot's front lenses function as eyes that assess its environment, determine the height of stairs, and identify obstructions, according to Park.

At Cybathlon 2024, developers with a range of physical impairments showcased helpful robots in eight categories, and Kim Seung-hwan, wearing the WalkON Suit F1, took home the gold medal in the exoskeleton category.

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