What are wearable robots? Why would anyone want to wear a robot, anyway?
WEARABLE ROBOTS
Is Louie wearing a wearable robot or is the robot wearing Louie?
A wearable robot is a system that combines electrics & mechanical engineering and is designed around the shape and function of the human body.
That's pretty vague
Human beings have always pursued the dream of enhancing human capabilities through the usage of wearable devices. Or just plain old enhancement.
While I agree with the idea that we should never meet our heroes, how about real live tech meeting science fiction?
I’m all in.
I think of ‘robots’ as actual robots, but according to mechatronics, that isn’t quite right.
Mechatronics is a branch of engineering that focuses on designing, manufacturing, and maintaining products that have both mechanical and electronic components.
So wearable robots have nothing to do with actual fictional robots, like The Iron Giant.
EXOSKELETAL VERSUS PROSTHETICS
Since the term ‘wearable robots’ is a little strange, let’s clarify a few more terms. Such as exoskeletal robots versus prosthetic robots.
Exoskeletal robots are robotic structures that can be put on existing limbs.
Prosthetic robots are wearable robots that substitute a missing human limb.
For this post, I’m sticking with wearable robots that don’t replace limbs.
EXOSKELETAL ROBOTS FOR LOCOMOTION
Efficiency suffers unless you’re strong and fit.
Powered exoskeletal robots often provide biologically appropriate levels of mechanical power, but the size and mass of their power source designs often lead to heavy and unwieldy devices.
Why not use soft but strong materials?
SOFT ROBOTICS
SOFT ROBOTICS
When working closely with humans, safety is key!
We would never forget about pets!
Soft robots are primarily composed of easily deformable matter such as fluids, gels, and elastomers.
Rubber and silicone are examples of elastomers.
How about one of our most important extremities? Our hands. Not that I don’t consider feet important, but for quality-of-life issues, our hands are right up there.
Worldwide, over 50 million people suffer from persistent hand impairments after stroke or spinal cord injury
This results in major loss of independence and quality of life.
Enter...THE SOFT ROBOTIC GRIPPER
Many researchers are hard at work to make the soft robotic gripper grippier!
At facilities like the Rehabilitation Engineering Laboratory, Department of Health Sciences and Technology in Zurich, studies show promise for a safe, wearable robot developed for children and adolescents with minimal hand function.
So how do these wearable robots work?
EXOSUIT FUNCTION
Exosuits (soft exoskeletal robots) actively transmit power to the human body either using cables, moved by electric motors, or soft pneumatic actuators, embedded in the garment.
Strangely, soft, wearable robots don’t incorporate the same type of mechanics that humans and other mammals do.
We move our limbs by synchronizing opposing muscles.
There is an animal that does not use opposing muscles for movement.
NECROBOTS
I can’t see wearing spiders as exoskeletal robots but the Rice University study dubs the device a necrobot.
If you want to learn more about spiders, here’s a post about tarantulas!
Back to soft wearable robots! Soft pneumatic actuators for soft robotic grippers.
And the last puzzle piece. Soft sensors.
SOFT SENSORS
Soft sensor materials for exoskeletal robotics & machine learning (click for more about artificial intelligence and the future of humans!) combine to enable a soft sensor that distinguishes bending, stretching, and compression, to try to create the best wearable robot possible.
ROBOTIC HEARTS
These soft wearable robots aren’t just for our joints and hands.
WEARABLE ROBOTS
Wearable robots aren’t just for patients. Wearable robots have applications in research, PT, and OT.
Using wearable robotics in conjunction with MRI makes it possible to study brain activities, motor performances during hand rehabilitation, & to unravel the functional effects of rehabilitation robotics on brain stimulation.(For more on how to keep your brain sharp, read my post here!)
Advances in materials science, electronics, AI, & energy storage have since enabled an exponential growth and development of wearable robots. I’m excited that someday soon these wearable robots will become more mainstream.
Soft wearable robots are lightweight, ergonomic, & low power demanding. And with soft sensors, are more comfortable for patients.
This makes exoskeletal robotics attractive for a variety of applications, ranging from strength augmentation in industrial or field scenarios, to medical assistance for people with motor impairments.
Keep your eye on this amazing new tech! Wearable robots with soft robotic grippers and soft sensors. Hurrah!
One question b4 you go. What will you eat when you don your wearable robot with its soft robotic grippers? Not carrots. (sorry Louie)
Obviously, it needs to be a soft dessert.
Gelato? Or ice cream?
I think it’s different from actual robots and wearable robots. Because I would love to try wearable robots. This is an interesting read!
Yes, actual robots and wearable robots are different. It was fun to play on the words. I’m glad you found my post interesting!
This is so intriguing! I hope they can streamline these wearable robots to help kids and adults alike. Thanks for sharing this cool information. And I vote for gelato!
I hope so too! I’m a gelato fan as well, though I wouldn’t say no to ice cream! ha. Thanks for stopping by!
I would pick ice cream. I didn’t know much about robots and the mechanics, so I found this information really interesting. Thank you for sharing.
Lauren x
Ice cream! Excellent choice. I’m happy that you found the mechanics of robotics interesting. Thanks, Lauren!
Wow, this would be so great to help soldiers in the field to conserve energy. And for people who’ve lost strength for any number of reasons. Thanks for sharing this cool tech.
Agreed on all counts. Fingers crossed that the tech advances quickly. Thanks!
Thank you Susan for this post that really lit up my Sci-Fi heart. Although in many of the cases it’s hardly fiction anymore. There are so many great applications for wearable robots and they can change the life of many people. It’s great to read all the things that are in the pipeline.
We share sci-fi hearts, Benny! I love seeing what was only a glimmer in someone’s eye become reality. I can’t wait for this tech to help people lead richer lives. Thanks!
This is so cool and sounds like it could be helpful to a lot of people. Thanks for sharing!
I think it’s cool, too. (obviously or I wouldn’t have written about it!) Thanks, Julian!
This is a fascinating concept and one that could have some interesting benefits, especially for people who do not have complete motor function. It will be interesting to see where people are able to take and utilize the technology for sure!
I concur! I can’t wait to see this tech out in the world, helping people with limited function. Thanks, Jaya!
This is amazing information. Maybe I don’t have to “save my knees.” Eventually, I’ll just put on my suit and go about my day. And my frozen thumb? No problem.
Thank you so much for another excellent science article.
Wouldn’t that be great, to don a soft exosuit and go about your day? Likewise for your hand mobility! I’m cheering on those researchers. I’m happy you found my article valuable! Thanks, Eva.
I saw the article about the necrobots. Not a fan of spiders, but this just seems creepy. I’m also not sure what the applications might be for this. But I am looking forward to wearing a powersuit
I’m not sure what the applications for using spider legs to grip may be, either. All I can think of is a new zombie spin off for The Walking Dead! I’m going to sign up for a power suit, too! Then we can escape those zombies. Thanks!
Really enjoyed the information about spiders. Always learn something from your post. Definitely gelato especially that purple mass on top of the other ones looks like a brain. Keep it up. Mike
I wouldn’t have thought of blackberry gelato as a brain, but you have a point! Brain photos are in the eye of the beholder! Thanks Mike.
Oh wow. This was so interesting to read! I haven’t heard much about wearable robots before!
I’m gratified that you liked my research and found the post interesting. Thanks so much!
It is incredible to see how technology has evolved in my lifetime; there are advances happening right now I cannot imagine or envision so it’s fascinating to learn about the people/innovations that are taking these strides. Zombie spider bot is not my favourite idea but I am sure the tech used on the spider can be applied in other ways in other instances that are less creepy, haha!
I can’t think of any way to use spider legs in tech that wouldn’t be less creepy, but maybe the Rice students will come up with something! I find tech advances fascinating too. I tend to focus my posts on the tech that helps people who are at a disadvantage so the lines blur but I feel encouraged and proud of the many hard-working researchers when I write these posts. And I’m happy that you stopped by! Thanks, Molly.
Wonderful piece! I love that this technology is available to those as prosthetics with or without their actual arms in addition to aiding those with limited use. Some of my favourite use of technology.
I agree! I love that tech development is focusing on helping those with limited functionality. Glad you like my piece, too! Thanks.
As always, such an interesting article. I’ve learned loads I didn’t already know. And I think these additions are great for anyone who need them.
I’m glad you picked up a few facts.Thank you so much!
This is so wild! Tech has come so far + it’s only going to continue to explode! Such an informative piece!
I hope the explosion continues! Thank you!
Loving the pictures and quotes throughout. The format of your posts always makes me want to keep reading.
I appreciate you mentioning that you like my format and photos! I’m glad that it makes you keep reading, thank you!
It’s reassuring we have these aids in place should any of us need them. This is a great use of technology.
What a great way to frame it. Reassurance. People who need assistance will hopefully have it! Thank you for stopping by!
I was intrigued by your post. I’ve never really thought about wearable robots but now I do. I love when wearable robotics technologies hold promise for improving the lives of people with disabilities.
I’m so happy you found my post intriguing. Let’s hope that these wearable robots will be readily available soon. Thanks!
Wow! This is so interesting. I have a couple of friends who are losing their grip strength. These wearable robots would be perfect for them. They seem a lot less cumbersome than prosthetics. Thank you for sharing!
I am sorry to hear about your friends. This is the tech that should help them. Thank you, Heidi!
What an amazing set of possibilities for people with all sorts of needs for strength/agility! I had never heard of the concept, but now it makes a lot of sense (due to your great research!). Thanks for the information!
I find the possibilities amazing, too! I appreciate your pointing out my solid research. Thank you, Eileen!
I would pick the ice cream! It’s so awesome to see how technology could be so helpful to those who have limited movement. Just the thought of wearable robots just sounds pretty cool. Really enjoyed reading this, thanks for sharing!
Ice cream! Ever since I uploaded those photos, I’ve had cravings. ha! I’m happy that you enjoyed my post! Thank you so much.
This is such a interesting post, I’ve never heard of wearable robots so this has opened my eyes a lot and educated me. Thank you so much for sharing this with us! What a crazy world we live in Xo
elle – ellegracedeveson.com
I’m so happy that you found my post interesting! We do live in a wild world! Thanks so much, Elle!
This was such an interesting read! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you. And thanks for taking the time to comment!