Whenever you’re carrying a heavy load, it may be fairly troublesome strolling throughout flat floor, not to mention climbing stairs. The Koma 1.5 is designed to assist, by alternately appearing as a powered buggy or a two-legged lower-body exoskeleton.
Presently in functioning prototype type, the system is being developed by Panasonic subsidiary Atoun. Amongst different issues, the Japanese “powered put on” firm has beforehand introduced us the Mannequin Y and Himico assistive exoskeletons, which assist their wearers to raise heavy gadgets and stroll over tough terrain, respectively.
The concept behind the Koma 1.5 is that when its load-carrying consumer is traversing easy, degree surfaces – like manufacturing facility or warehouse flooring, as an example – they simply arise on the rig, maintain onto its two management arms, and get carried alongside by its 4 motorized wheels. This is called Buggy Mode, and it provides each the smoothest journey and the only operation.
Ought to the consumer must climb stairs or step over an impediment, although, the pushing of a button switches the setup over to Two-Legged Mode. Its two entrance wheels then retract again to type two powered, articulated “legs” that observe the actions of the consumer’s legs, supporting them as they step up and down.
As an added bonus, the Koma 1.5 is reportedly able to autonomously recognizing and avoiding obstacles, using its built-in digicam and an AI-based laptop imaginative and prescient system.
There’s at present no phrase on when or if the system will attain manufacturing. For now, although, you may see the prototype in motion, within the following video.
Powered Swimsuit CODE NAME KOMA 1.5
Supply: Atoun through IEEE Spectrum
