Soft robotic glove puts control in grasp of hands- will ‘Spider-Man’ come to real life soon?

Korea Robot Technology Behind the Future / Soft Robot Center, Seoul National University


Professor Kyu-Jin Cho (left) and researchers are experimenting with the wearable robot "Exo Globe Poly" at Seoul National University Lab. [Hwang Soon Min]

On the evening of the 15th, I visited a research institute of Seoul National University, located at the foot of Mt. Gwanak. The researchers were busy concentrating on the research. It was in the midst of the development of a so-called "wearable robot" that could disassemble a scorpion-like robot on one side and wear it like part of the body on the other side. I took a transparent glove and grabbed it directly with my index finger.
It was easy to wear it because it was made out of polymer and resembled transparent plastic. It was fascinating as it would move on its own without any external assistance.

It effortlessly lifted 1kg weight. This definitely is a magical glove which could help patients hold a cup of water and brush it up for patients whose muscles are damaged.

Kyu-jin Cho , a professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering at Seoul National University, who led the development of this wearable robot called "Exoglobalpoly", was interviewed by reporters on the same day and said that the world''s first soft robot research center called "Human Centered Soft Robot Technology Research Center" will be opened at Seoul National University.

Professor Cho, who is in charge of the center, is an internationally recognized professor in the field of soft robots.

Earlier this year, he joined the board of cacao as an outside director and served as an adviser to the robotics sector.

Soft robots are robots differ from conventional rigid hardware robots as its main characteristics is that it makes them simulate the structure, shape and mechanism of soft living things such as snakes and octopuses, or using flexible and elastic materials like polymers. Contrary to popular belief, these robots are not made up from heavy and hard metals hence making it more unique.

Especially, if you combine a spider web called Dream Fibers with a biomimetic robot that works like a real human muscle and cartilage because it makes you mimic a living body, you can partially bring ''Spiderman'' to life.

It is expected to be used in various fields such as reconnaissance robots, medical equipment robots, and wearable robots in extreme environments to overcome disadvantages existing in current robot technology.

In the center, the future creation science department has invested about 14.5 billion won for seven years from this year to support robot development. 15 professors from four universities including Seoul National University is participating.

Center researchers aimed to ''not set goals''. Researchers from different fields will gather together to concentrate on exploring new fields that are not conceptually based on basic research. Professor Cho said, "If we concentrate on visible robots or research already done elsewhere, we will not be able to go ahead with research." "Schools and research institutes will focus on" grassroots "basic research that challenges new possibilities. Aspirations.
It is pointed out that it is necessary to challenge the unraveled.

In fact, Professor Cho had to endure all the scoffing during his research on the untouched field such as biomimetic insects.

It is also pointed out that the allocation of research funding for ''trending'' is also a chronic issue. If certain trends are received by politicians or the public, the allocation of research funds will increase greatly, but the other fields will be significantly reduced.

[Hwang Soon Min]
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