uh-oh

As Japan's population grows older and the youngsters keep their heads buried in digital recreations, the nation is increasingly looking to robotics to care for the elderly. But if the Kanagawa Institute of Technology has its way, the elderly won't need much help thanks to its new power assist suit. The wearer's strength comes from the suit's joints which are powered by direct drive pneumatic rotary actuators driven by micro air pumps. The suit takes about 10 minutes to put on and weighs 66 pounds. For now the suit is only being made to order for nursing homes and hospitals.