Up until recently, the wearable technology sphere has been dominated by smartwatches and fitness trackers. But that could drastically change in the near future. Wearable tech may eventually be used for the entire body, helping the wearer become stronger, more mobile, and more mindful of their biometric data. In fact, last month, at the IFA 2018 in Berlin, LG revealed that it has been developing just such a device.
The CLOi SuitBot is an exoskeleton that fits around the feet, legs, and up the middle of the back, providing support and strength for the user. The device was developed in collaboration with the startup SG ROBOTICS and currently does not have a price tag. In a press release for the technology, LG stated that “A comfortable fit and naturally rotating joints allow the CLOi SuitBot to move in a more relaxed and natural way to enhance the lower body while walking, standing, or working.” For the worker, the technology will “improve productivity, monitor performance, and prevent injuries.” says LG’s CTO Dr. I.P. Park.
The technology will also allow workplaces to function as more fluid, efficient, and organic systems. Like an extremely smart fitness bracelet, the exoskeleton is loaded with artificial intelligence, allowing the system to “evolve and learn over time, [analyze] biometric data and the movements of the wearer in order to provide maximum efficiency.” This will help workers and supervisors monitor and manage the health of employees during arduous workdays.
This exciting new technology is also designed to interact and collaborate with a line of robots that LG revealed at CES earlier this year. These “service robots” are completely autonomous and do not require a human actor to control them, as with the SuitBot. The three models — Serving Robot, Porter Robot, and Shopping Cart Robot — are designed to handle deliveries, checkouts, and even carry luggage. The Shopping Cart Robot even allows a user to integrate their shopping list using an app, whereupon the robot will lead the customer around the store to the selected items, reducing time and effort.
Unlike these service robots, which have a customer focus, the SuitBot is engineered with the worker in mind. Ideal for use in manufacturing and logistics worksites, the information shared between the exoskeleton and the service robots can be highly effective in managing inventory, grabbing goods for customers, and increasing overall productivity.
With such technology, consumers could easily walk into their nearest home improvement store and be greeted with a scene right out of a Steven Spielberg movie — robots assisting with purchases and helpful workers handling extremely heavy goods with ease. This technology could also be employed in the health care industry, allowing certain patients to find a life of increasing mobility. For now, though, the technology will continue to be further refined and experimented on in warehouses and labs, and we’ll await with anticipation the next big breakthrough.
Resources:
- Wearable of the future! LG plans to launch human-centric robot 'CLOi SuitBot' at IFA 2018
- LG’s new wearable robot is a connected exoskeleton that gives you just a hint of superpowers
- LG's big 'bot plan: to create a network of working robots with 'wearable' SuitBot
- LG adds an exoskeleton to its line of CLOi robots
- LG's new CLOi robots are designed for hotels and supermarkets
Image Credit: LG/http://www.lgnewsroom.com/2018/08/lg-to-usher-in-new-era-of-ai-robotics-with-wearable-robot/