Approaching on its own and 'sticking' to the body... A paraplegic patient stood up [Reading Science]

KAIST Team Develops Wearable Robot Enabling Walking for Lower Limb Paralysis Patients
Aims to Win International Competition
Professor Gong Kyung-cheol: "We Will Prove Our Superiority"

Mr. Kim Seunghwan is paralyzed from the waist down due to an accident and cannot walk. Even for him, who could not stand up and lift his child, hope has emerged. The wearable robot is the link that can connect him and his child.

Researcher Kim Seunghwan, who is paraplegic, is demonstrating walking while wearing a wearable robot developed by the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) on the 24th, with his young son (left) watching.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the 24th, Mr. Kim Seunghwan wore the wearable robot, the 'WalkON Suit F1,' and stood up while his child watched. The robot approached on its own and was fitted perfectly onto his body. Seunghwan did not need to touch it at all. Then, he stood up without any assistance. Those watching cheered loudly. The child, who had only seen his father in a wheelchair, now saw him stand proudly. The father walked vigorously wearing the robot.

Walking alone was not enough. The father held an envelope and walked down a narrow corridor, sitting down and standing up from a chair. This was training he prepared to participate in an international competition with the robot that made him a normal dad. The competition is the 'Cybathlon,' hosted by the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich. The goal is, of course, to win.

The research team led by Professor Gong Kyungcheol of the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST, President Lee Gwanghyung) and chairman of Angel Robotics unveiled a new version of the wearable robot for people with lower body paralysis, the 'WalkON Suit F1,' on the 24th.

This robot is a masterpiece developed by Professor Gong’s team to open a new era of wearable robots for people with lower body paralysis. The new wearable robot, which can be worn immediately without needing to get off a wheelchair or assistance from others, is expected to demonstrate a technological leap in wearable robot technology.

Professor Gong said, "The name F1 itself signifies not everyday use but the intention to show overwhelming performance in competitions." His team will participate in the 3rd Cybathlon, held four years after winning the gold medal in the wearable robot category at the 2020 Cybathlon hosted by ETH Zurich. The goal is, naturally, to win. During the demonstration, the WalkON Suit F1 confidently met the standards of the Cybathlon event.

This robot targets the highest severity level of lower body paralysis, ASIA-A (complete paralysis). It differs in form and purpose from the AngelX M20 walking rehabilitation robot commercialized through Angel Robotics, founded by Professor Gong, which is covered by health insurance. While existing products focused on safe walking for stroke patients, the WalkON Suit F1 focuses on enabling those who cannot walk to stand up without assistance from others.

The walking speed already achieved in this robot development was not the main focus. The important goal was to develop a robot that the user can put on by themselves, not one that someone else has to help wear.

Dr. Park Jeongsu of KAIST, who participated in the robot development, said, "Other robots focused on continuous walking, but we concentrated on taking the first step and being able to wear it alone."

The WalkON Suit F1 presented a technical solution to this fundamental problem. Instead of a rear-wearing method, it applied a front-wearing method so that the user can wear the robot immediately without getting off the wheelchair or needing help from others. It was delicately designed to prevent discomfort for users who have been sitting for long periods. It was carefully engineered to avoid the anxiety that might arise from sudden wearing of the robot.

Moreover, before wearing, the robot walks up to the user like a humanoid. It features active control of the center of gravity, so even if the wearer pushes the robot incorrectly, it maintains balance without falling. The design of the WalkON Suit F1, which bridges humanoid and wearable robots, was handled by Professor Park Hyunjun of KAIST’s Industrial Design Department.

The core functions of the wearable robot were also greatly improved. In an upright position, the user can freely use both hands and walk several steps without a cane, thanks to enhanced balance control performance.

The KAIST research team laid the foundation for the robot’s design, and Angel Robotics added further development. All core components of the robot, including motors, reducers, motor drivers, and main circuits, were domestically produced. The output density of the motor and reducer modules is about twice that of previous research team technologies (based on power-to-weight ratio), and the control performance of the motor driver is about three times better than the best overseas technology (based on frequency response speed).

Professor Kyungchul Kong, Researcher Seunghwan Kim, and Researcher Jeongsu Park (from left) are holding a press conference explaining WorkOnSuit F1 on the 24th. Photo by KAIST

In particular, the embedded software technology of the motor driver was significantly improved to stably implement advanced motion control algorithms without using expensive high-end controllers. Additionally, vision for obstacle detection and AI boards for artificial intelligence applications were installed.

Professor Gong explained, "The WalkON Suit is the pinnacle of wearable robot technology for people with disabilities," adding, "Numerous components, control, and module technologies derived from the WalkON Suit are setting the standards for the entire wearable robot industry," and he expects a significant gap compared to competing overseas robots.

Professor Gong recently stepped down as CEO of Angel Robotics and took on the role of Chief Technology Officer (CTO). He explained, "I found the right person who understands my vision to take over management, allowing me to focus solely on technology development."

Regarding the reduction of Angel Robotics’ market value from the initial 1 trillion won level to about one-third recently, Professor Gong said, "I will work hard to return to unicorn status (market capitalization over 1 trillion won)." He added, "I already have many ideas in mind about the diverse future of wearable robots." He confidently stated that he will present various forms of wearable robots beyond current rehabilitation support robots, such as Iron Man and Spider-Man suits. Professor Gong also revealed that the Cybathlon organizers have offered him the position of competition director for the next event, which shows that his team’s capabilities are recognized internationally.

The morale of the team members involved in the research was also high. Dr. Park Jeongsu, a KAIST researcher who will participate as a team leader alongside researcher Kim Seunghwan in the Cybathlon, said, "Since we won first place in the last competition, our goal this time is to demonstrate a technological leap rather than compete for rankings," adding, "I am considering starting a company in the future, and the professor said he would actively support me."