Researchers at Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology and University of Tokyo recently developed AugLimb, a compact robotic limb that could support humans as they complete a variety of tasks. This new limb can extend up to 250 mm and grasp different objects in a user's vicinity. In contrast with other robotic arms, AugLimb can extend significantly, becoming approximately 2.5 times longer than a human's average forearm length. Moreover, it is highly compact and thus easy to store. AugLimb has 7 DOFs (degree of freedoms) and can be easily fabricated using normal 3D printers and motors. In addition to being compact, the robotic limb is lightweight and comfortable to wear. This also makes it suitable for users with more fragile bodies, including children and older adults.
AugLimb essentially serves as a third arm, thus it could be particularly useful in situations where humans complete tasks that involve a significant amount of object manipulation, such as cooking or cleaning. The researchers also believe that it could be used by doctors performing surgical operations, construction workers and other professionals who complete manual tasks daily. The robotic arm is still at a prototype stage. However, the team plans to continue testing it and improving its capabilities, to make it increasingly effective and commercially viable. For instance, the AugLimb prototype is currently controlled by human operators manually, but the team would like to improve its control mechanism by exploring alternative solutions.
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https://techxplore.com/news/2021-09-auglimb-compact-robotic-limb-humans.html