Professor Minoru Hashimoto of the Faculty of Textile Science and Technology, Shinshu University and the Tokyo Metropolitan Industrial Technology Research Center have developed a pants-type "haku robot" that can be worn on the lower body of a patient with weak muscles to support walking movements.This is the first time in Japan, and we are looking for partner companies and aim to put it into practical use in a few years.
According to Shinshu University, this "Haku Robot" is a body-worn robot Clara developed by Professor Hashimoto's research team with the support of the Japan Science and Technology Agency since 2011 with the aim of supporting the independence of care recipients.A unit that integrates a small and lightweight servo motor and a speed reducer is attached to the main joints of the limbs, and the tuning control system assists the walking movement according to the wearer's movement read by the sensor.It is a mechanism that assists the movement of joints by using the skeleton of the wearer, and can move the body naturally, such as twisting the lower limbs when changing the walking direction.It takes about 3 minutes to install.Since it is extremely easy to put on, it is expected to be used for patients with illness or old age and weak legs and for rehabilitation.
Professor Hashimoto and his colleagues completed a full-body prototype in 2015, but there are problems such as having to install each part separately, which is difficult for one person to install and takes 1 minutes to install. There were many.Therefore, in collaboration with the Tokyo Metropolitan Industrial Technology Research Center, we were working on the development of a "haku robot" that emphasizes the functional assistance of the lower limbs.
The prototype model of "Haku Robot" was unveiled for the first time at a recital held in Tokyo.In the future, we will exhibit at domestic and overseas exhibitions and recruit partner companies.
