South Korea develops robot to help paralyzed people walk

The research team at the Exoskeleton Laboratory at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) said their goal is to develop a wearable robot that not only assists people with disabilities in moving but can also be naturally integrated into everyday activities.

This robot is designed to become an indispensable part of life, helping to improve quality of life, increase independence and reduce dependence on the help of others.

Kim Seung-hwan, a member of the KAIST research team and a paraplegic, demonstrated the outstanding capabilities of the assistive robot prototype.

With the help of the device, Mr. Kim can walk at a steady speed of 3.2 km/h, perform complex movements such as climbing stairs and stepping sideways to easily sit down on a bench.

The demonstration not only illustrates the effectiveness of the technology but also opens up hope for people with disabilities about their ability to reintegrate into everyday life.

“This device can reach me anywhere, even when I am in a wheelchair. The most impressive thing is that it can help me stand up easily, an outstanding feature that I find extremely useful,” Mr. Kim shared.

The powered exoskeleton, called the WalkON Suit F1, is made from an aluminum and titanium alloy for strength and light weight. The device weighs 50 kg and is equipped with 12 advanced electronic motors, programmed to accurately simulate the natural movements of human joints when walking.

Thanks to this technology, WalkON Suit F1 can support users to take steps smoothly and stably, bringing a feeling close to real body movements.

Park Jeong-su, another member of the KAIST research team, said his inspiration came from the famous movie "Iron Man." "While watching Iron Man, I thought to myself how great it would be if I could create a robot in real life to help people. That's what motivated me to pursue this project," Park added.

To help users maintain balance while moving, the robot is equipped with a modern sensor system on the soles of the feet and upper body. These sensors are capable of processing up to 1,000 signals per second, allowing the robot to quickly track and analyze movements, and accurately predict the user's next intentions, making walking more natural and stable.

Park explained that the robot’s front lenses act as “eyes,” allowing it to analyze its surroundings in detail. The system is capable of determining the height of stairs, detecting obstacles, and adjusting in time to compensate for the sensory deprivation of completely paralyzed users. This not only ensures safety, but also increases the user’s confidence when moving in complex situations.