Samsung designs a wearable robot to improve mobility in older adults

Seoul, South Korea-based Sahmyook University has recently showcased some of the ongoing work it is doing with Samsung on the robot exosuit front.

That work comes in the form of the hip-worn robot marked as EX1, which is made to improve mobility in older adults.

As we get older, muscle mass tends to decline — impacting our walking and increasing the risk of falls. The EX1 is designed specifically to enhance balance and movement.

"Using the wearable robot EX1, older adults can effectively perform simple exercises such as walking and fitness, thereby improving their quality of life," says research lead Professor Wan-hee Lee. "EX1 can increase their participation in exercise and serve as a guideline for exercising the right way."

The device is designed for both assistive wear and guided exercises, and - it works. According to one early study, stride length improved by more than 12%, while propulsion increased by around 21% in subjects who wore EX1 for 50 minutes a day, three times a week for a month.

"Our findings provide a solid foundation for developing various types of improved and advanced wearable robots," said Lee. "This will further expand the global wearable robot market, promoting further research and commercialization."

It is, however, unknown when or even whether the Samsung EX1 will actually hit the market. Nevertheless, we are excited to see this sort of technology being developed as we speak. Hopefully, we won't have to wait for too long until this robot hits the stores. Stay tuned in the meantime.