Hyundai's automotive division is working on a wearable robot, the company announced in a blog post today. Details are scarce, but it appears to be an Iron Man-like suit designed for industrial use and medical rehabilitation, among other applications.
The blog post includes many images of the suit prototype, which appears to attach to the user's torso using straps similar to those you'd find on a backpack. There are two additional straps for the legs, and the feet go in sandal-like contraptions.
The controls look relatively simple, with just two buttons for the thumb and forefinger of each hand. The photos show various uses for the suit, from a man receiving assistance walking up a flight of stairs to a factory worker lifting a heavy door.
It could also enable soldiers to travel long distances with little physical exertion, something in which the US military is interested. The Army already has a similar suit that combines superhuman strength and better ballistic protection, though it does not move on its own.
According to ZDNet, Hyundai's suit is designed to lift up to 100 kilograms, or approximately 220 pounds. There's no word on availability or pricing, but Hyundai is developing the suit for commercial use, ZDNet reports.
Hyundai, one of the world's largest automakers, hasn't been as active in developing robots or autonomous cars as its Japanese rivals Toyota and Honda, but it is no stranger to futuristic ideas. Last fall, Hyundai released its Virtual Guide App, which allows owners to use a smartphone or tablet to get interactive information on vehicle features via an augmented reality overlay.
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