The line between human and machines continues to blur as technology speeds along. For LG Electronics, a new robot suit may take the company and workers who use it another step into a sci-fi future. Not only does it walk and feel natural, it also can communicate with other robots.
LG, which released the images on Wednesday night, plans to unveil its first “human-centric” wearable robot called the CLOi SuitBot at the Internationale Funkausstellung Berlin (IFA) 2018 next week.
The SuitBot will allow users to have more mobility and lower limb strength while also walking naturally. It’s also easy to wear, as a person can simply step into the shoes, and the suit will automatically adjust to the user.
Front view of the LG SuitBot
Another big feature of the SuitBot is its connectivity to other LG service robots. The suit and other robots will be able to send information to one another in manufacturing, logistics, and distribution workplaces. LG even plans to get a step further and develop an A.I. among its robot devices, like the SuitBot, which will allow them to learn and grow.
“LG CLOi SuitBot is evidence of our full commitment to expanding our portfolio of service robots that deliver tangible convenience and innovation in our lives,” said Song Dae-hyun, president of LG’s home appliance and air solution company, in a statement released with the news. “It’s just one example of a wide range of revolutionary A.I. products designed to interact with users to dramatically elevate user convenience and create new opportunities to advance our robotics initiative into a next-gen growth engine.”
Back view of LG SuitBot
LG invested in the SuitBot technology last year and will be shown for the first time at IFA 2018, which kicks off on August 31 and runs through September 5. The annual trade show is one of the oldest for consumer electronics and home appliances, and is known as the CES of Europe.
With wheels!
There’s no video of this suit in action just yet, but LG tells Inverse one should be released in the coming days.
