Development of Power-Assist Machine Using Linkage Mechanism

Walking assist machineAs Japan has become an increasingly aging society, various power-assist equipment have been developed, for instance, a robot suit called HAL used to assist the elderly in walking when their muscles have become weakened and a power assisting suit for farmers to reduce their burdens in agricultural work. The main problem in developing such power-assist equipment is light weight and low price. We have developed the power-assist machine that uses only one actuator for assisting the movement of multiple joints.