Keio team of researchers and scientists build robotic tail. (YouTube)

Japanese Researchers Build Robotic Tail to Help Elderly Population Mobile

Kinanty Nadia Putri
Business & Industry
Sci-Tech
Aug 15, 2019
2354
As a leader in the industrial world, Japan always comes with a brilliant idea when it comes to lifespan. This time researchers and scientists from Keio University have built a robotic tail called ‘Dubbed Arque’ to keep its aging population mobile and productive.

Japan is known as one of the fastest aging populations in the world which resulted in a shrinking workforce. While other nations turn to adapt to approaching migrant workers to tackle the issue, Japan focused on the technological solution instead.

The robotic tail was inspired by the evolution of human ancestors which believed to have tails at that time. Junichi Nabeshima, a graduate student and team member of the university’s Embodied Media Project said that the tail keeps balance like a pendulum. It works with the use of compressed air that moves four artificial muscles in eight different directions.

For now, the mimicking tail device is at the prototype stage and Keio team is still working out methods to make it more flexible.

In addition to benefits the elderly with this technology, the team also seeks a way to help the younger population who may have some issues with balance and mobility, especially those in the workforce. For example, Nabeshima said, they’re looking to help stabilize warehouse and factory workers who are carrying heavy loads.

The robotic tail isn’t the first mechanical devices developed for the human body. Scientists have also created robotic arms and hands with muscle memory used to delicately pick up objects.

Source: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-japan-robotic-tail/japanese-researchers-build-robotic-tail-to-keep-elderly-upright-idUSKCN1V411X

Japan , Asia , Robot , Medical , Business , Sci-tech , KeioUniversity