Chinese Research Team Develops Non-Powered "Super Glove"... Potential for Rescue Operations and Space Applications

Development of Hand Exoskeleton Device
Delivers Maximum Gripping Force of 1,046 Newtons
Reduced Power Consumption

According to a report by the Global Times on September 23, a team of Chinese researchers has developed a non-powered "super glove" that can assist with strenuous physical labor.

The research team led by Professor Sun Shuaishuai at the University of Science and Technology of China announced in a recent paper published in the international robotics journal "IEEE Transactions on Robotics" that they have developed a hand exoskeleton device.

The team explained that the new exoskeleton device is based on a magnetorheological actuator, which changes its properties in response to a magnetic field, and that it enhances gripping strength compared to previous motor-driven devices.

According to the paper, the new exoskeleton device developed by Professor Sun's team can generate a maximum gripping force of 1,046 newtons (N) with just 5 watts (W) of power, reducing energy consumption by 97.7% compared to conventional motor-driven models.

Additionally, users wearing the new hand exoskeleton device experienced a 41.8% increase in grip strength without any external power supply, and hand fatigue during work was also reduced.

The research team emphasized that the new device could be especially effective in extreme situations such as earthquake rescue operations.

In fact, earthquake rescue simulations published in the paper showed that muscle activity in the rescuers' finger flexors decreased when rescuing trapped individuals or transporting the injured. Compared to not wearing the glove, the rescuers' average respiratory rate dropped by 20%, and the maximum transport distance increased by 110%. In an experiment lifting a slate plate, users were able to easily lift weights exceeding 200 kilograms.

Professor Sun explained that these research results could be extended to arm exoskeleton devices and may also be applied in the future to the development of remote robotic arms and manipulators for space exploration.