An ASU professor discusses his work in wearable robotics and walking aids. Via the State Press:
ASU researchers are undertaking the task of developing wearable robotic devices in hopes of assisting humans recreationally, professionally and medically.
Wearable robotics are devices that are created specifically to augment the wearers motion and psychical capabilities, and they can also be used to restore a person’s loss of motion.
Thomas Sugar, professor in the department of engineering at ASU’s Polytechnic campus, said his research in wearable robotics started out developing gait trainers and an ankle device for stroke recovery therapy. In recent years, his team has begun making robotic exoskeletons for military and industry use.
“We started developing exoskeletons for the military, more specifically for ankle and hip movement to help with lifting heavy objects or overall movement,” Sugar said. “Lately, we started to move more towards designing exoskeletons for industry, for helping people preform tasks in logistics such as construction or automobile companies.”
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