Get the latest tech news

Robotic "SuperLimbs" could help moonwalkers recover from falls


SuperLimbs, a system of wearable robotic limbs designed by MIT engineers, can physically support an astronaut and lift them back on their feet after a fall, helping them conserve energy for other essential tasks.

Unlike the largely exploratory mission of Apollo, Artemis astronauts will endeavor to build the first permanent moon base — a physically demanding task that will require multiple extended extravehicular activities (EVAs). “During the Apollo era, when astronauts would fall, 80 percent of the time it was when they were doing excavation or some sort of job with a tool,” says team member and MIT doctoral student Erik Ballesteros. Over the summer, Ballesteros will build out the full SuperLimbs system at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, where he plans to streamline the design and minimize the weight of its parts and motors using advanced, lightweight materials.

Get the Android app

Or read this on r/tech

Read more on:

Photo of moonwalkers

moonwalkers

Photo of Robotic

Robotic

Photo of falls

falls

Related news:

News photo

Take-Two Falls on Fears of Grand Theft Auto VI Delay

News photo

Zoe Care uses existing Wi-Fi signals to detect falls in care homes

News photo

Don’t call ‘em skates, because they’re Moonwalkers