Paraplegic Patient Walks, Ordinary Soldier Becomes Terminator [Reading Science]

The Present and Future of Human Augmentation Technology

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bong-su] In the 2017 American film Edge of Tomorrow, the protagonist wears an exoskeleton armor that demonstrates physical strength and firepower like a "small tank." It absorbs shocks even when jumping from an airplane and crushes cars. It unleashes tremendous attacks with a machine gun and rocket launcher mounted on the shoulder. Similarly, the protagonist in the movie Kingsman wears horn-rimmed glasses that function as a high-performance camera and telescope, playing a vital role. Scientists evaluate that the themes of such movies are imaginative depictions that most closely represent the future of "Human Augmentation" technology. Although there is Iron Man's "suit," it is too far from reality. However, human augmentation devices like exoskeleton armor robots and glasses are already very close to reality. In various fields such as medical, industrial, and military, human augmentation technology helps paraplegic patients walk, reduces musculoskeletal disorders in assembly workers at factories, and dreams of becoming "Terminators" on the battlefield.

[Photo by 20th Century Fox Korea] Poster of the movie 'Kingsman: The Golden Circle'.

◇ What is Human Augmentation Technology?

It refers to technology that enhances human cognitive and physical abilities by equipping the body with various devices and equipment using life sciences, electronics, and mechanical engineering. A representative example is "wearable devices." Recently, research has been active in medical, military, and industrial fields. Physical augmentation is divided into four areas: △ sensory augmentation (hearing, vision, perception) △ appendage and biological function augmentation (exoskeletons, prosthetics) △ brain augmentation (implants for treating seizures) △ genetic augmentation (somatic gene and cell therapy). The National Research Foundation of Korea defined human augmentation in its November 2022 R&D status report as "using information or applications to assist learning or provide new experiences, enhancing human abilities to enable better decision-making and thinking," while emphasizing "the need for social and scientific research due to various cultural and ethical impacts."

Recently, human augmentation technology has attracted attention beyond simple assistive devices, focusing on "human-machine interface" technology that implants chips into the brain. Suit-type machines that function identically to the human body by thought alone, without separate control tools, are being developed one after another. Additionally, technologies using artificial muscles and skin made from artificial intelligence (AI) and high-performance materials are developing in the direction of assisting and enhancing physical activities.

◇ How far has it come?

Human augmentation technology for rehabilitation treatment of patients with disabilities or weakened muscle strength due to accidents, diseases, or aging is the most actively researched. A representative example is the upper limb robot rehabilitation device "Armeo Power," developed by Swiss company Hocoma using sensors and intelligent algorithms with the Assist-as-Needed (AAN) method. It allows rehabilitation exercises using augmented performance feedback in a virtual environment, enabling motivation and condition monitoring for disabled patients. The wearable robot "MyoPro," developed by the American robotics company Myomo, is also well-known. It moves using electromyography (EMG) signals detected by non-invasive sensors on the patient's arm. It has been recognized for assisting treatment and normal activities of stroke, neuromuscular, and spinal disability patients and obtained Medicare supplier approval from the U.S. government in 2020. At the end of 2019, a research team at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL) attracted attention by developing a thin artificial muscle that can be attached to the skin to deliver tactile signals such as vibrations. Being film-thin, it is expected to be used in skin-attached artificial muscles and various displays in the future. The robotic hand developed by the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology in June 2020 is also notable. It can selectively control force and grasp various shapes of objects.

Active research is also underway domestically. In 2020 alone, the government supported 18 projects (2.223 billion KRW) through basic research programs. The research team at Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST) developed a multimodal sensor and haptic glove capable of measuring finger movements and transmitting heat and vibration by printing liquid metal on stretchable materials in 2020. When worn by a person, it can enhance muscle strength or tactile sensation, and when attached to a robotic arm, it can grasp objects of various shapes and strengths. Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) developed a "soft exoskeleton robotic arm for rehabilitation and daily life assistance" in 2019. It can assist stroke patients and physically disabled individuals in daily activities. Even with slight strength, users can perform daily tasks with the help of the robotic arm. It is especially easy to wear like clothing and is inconspicuous. Another KAIST research team developed a transparent and flexible visual and tactile input-output interface in film form in 2020. This secured core technology for sensors and displays that can be attached to the skin without heavy mechanical devices to operate wearable robots.

In the medical field, based on such active research, the "Cybathalon" competition is held, where disabled athletes compete in six tasks such as how fast they walk and climb stairs wearing assistive devices. In Korea, wearable robotics made by Angel Robotics, a KAIST campus startup, participated in 2020 and won gold and bronze medals, achieving good results. In industrial sites, Hyundai Motor Company uses the muscle-type exoskeleton robot VEX, which allows workers to hold 3 kg tools without feeling the weight by using springs. Panasonic's motor-driven wearable "Atoun Model Y" also supports waist muscles, reducing musculoskeletal disorders.

Military technology, famous from movies, is also at the commercialization stage. The idea originated from the development of spacesuits for astronauts during the space development era in the 1950s and was revived by the U.S. Department of Defense in the 2000s. The U.S. Department of Defense invested in wearable device development to reduce the weight burden of individual soldiers' equipment, resulting in achievements such as Lockheed Martin's HULC and Raytheon's XOS systems. HULC provides the strength to carry up to 200 pounds of load for long periods and move at speeds up to 10 miles per hour. Korea's Agency for Defense Development is also developing wearable strength augmentation robots.

◇ Customized Bionic Suits for the Elderly Coming Soon

The Ministry of Science and ICT has started developing "customized bionic suit" technology to help elderly people live independently as part of the Future Promising Convergence Technology Pioneer Project from this year through 2026. The goal is to develop devices that assist elderly people in performing daily activities independently by utilizing walking assistance, motion recognition, and sensory enhancement technologies. Unlike existing exoskeleton robots that are heavy, rigid, and consume a lot of energy, the new concept equipment will be lightweight, easy to wear like clothing, and maximize the body's sensory reception to assist motor and balance senses. A Ministry of Science and ICT official said, "The goal is to develop lightweight and slim wearable robot technology that can be worn inside clothing for coexistence between wearer and robot, based on biomimetic driving mechanism technology for ultralightweight and miniaturization. To restore universal daily activities through environment-adaptive walking assistance, research on user-customized walking control technology and optimization based on digital twin systems simulating the human musculoskeletal system, suit, and environment is necessary. We will also conduct collaborative research with experts to design mechanisms considering musculoskeletal characteristics and analyze musculoskeletal health status and verify the effects of suit wearing."

According to the Ministry of Science and ICT, the global wearable exoskeleton robot market is expected to grow rapidly at an average annual rate of 47.4%, from 154.7 billion KRW in 2017 to about 5.6 trillion KRW by 2026. In particular, the market for mobile-type wearable robots that are lightweight and easy to wear is expected to grow from 88 billion KRW in 2019 to 346.6 billion KRW in 2024. A domestic industry official explained, "High growth rates are seen mainly in rehabilitation and treatment for patients suffering from neurological and musculoskeletal diseases and in assistive and rehabilitation fields for the elderly and weak. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 2 billion people will need assistive devices by 2050. However, due to high prices, weight, comfort, and usability issues, widespread adoption has not yet been achieved."