CES 2017: Hyundai creates exoskeleton to offer mobility to the disabled

Exoskeletons that aim to provide “true freedom in mobility” for disabled people and super strength for the elderly have been built by Hyundai using self-driving vehicle technology.

The car giant announced three lines of lightweight aluminium robotic suits at a launch event at CES yesterday and claimed its factories can produce them in large quantities to make them affordable.

The wearable devices are designed to help people who need assistance accomplishing everyday tasks, from those with spinal injuries to workers lifting heavy objects.

The Hyundai Universal Medical Assist is designed to give elderly people with limited muscular power “assistive torque” in their daily life, with lower back and knees supported with harness fixture points.

The company claims its Medical Exoskeleton gives paraplegic people the power to stand from a seated position and climb stairs.

The design can adjust walking pace, length of stride, and torso tilting angle via an application program installed in a smartphone.