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Daewoo makes real-life mechas for its shipyard workers
South Korean vehicle maker Daewoo is taking a page from Aliens, Patlabor, Gundam, and a host of other scifi shows, making the world's mecha dreams finally come true.
It's only fair, after all: shipyard workers building some of the world's biggest ships deserve aid from some of the world's strongest robotic suits.
The robotic exoskeletons can allow the wearers to lift 100-kg metal easily, according to a report on tech site New Scientist.
"We've been developing and applying robots and automation in shipbuilding for more than a decade," said Gilwhoan Chu, the lead engineer for Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering's research and development arm.
Daewoo is considering having staff wear robot exoskeletons that promise superhuman strength.
For now, the 28-kg exoskeleton can fit workers between 160 and 185 cm tall. The robotic aid is made of carbon, aluminium alloy and steel, and has a three-hour battery life.
The present exoskeleton lets users walk at a normal pace and lift objects up to 30 kg.
"Our current research target of the lifting capacity is about 100 kilograms," Chu said.
However, the prototypes are far from perfect, with tests showing workers had problems negotiating sloping or slippery surfaces.
Also, the prototypes cannot cope with twisting motions yet, and workers making turns while carrying heavy objects could quickly tire out.
On the other hand, Chu claimed worker feedback from the trial had been "mostly positive." — Joel Locsin/TJD, GMA News
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