The WalkON Suit 4 (Image courtesy of KAIST)
SEOUL, Oct. 29 (Korea Bizwire) – A team from the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) has once again claimed victory in the global arena with innovative wearable robotic technology designed to assist people with disabilities.
The team, comprising KAIST’s Exo Lab, Move Lab, and Angel Robotics, led by professor Kong Kyoungchul of the Mechanical Engineering Department, secured first place in the powered exoskeleton category at the third Cybathlon International Competition with their WalkON Suit F1.
The event, broadcast live both online and offline on October 27, marks the team’s second consecutive victory following their 2020 gold medal with the WalkON Suit 4.
“I was very nervous, but thanks to everyone here, we were able to achieve these results,” said Kim Seung-hwan, a researcher with complete paralysis who competed wearing the exoskeleton.
The Cybathlon, first held in Switzerland in 2016 and nicknamed the “Cyborg Olympics,” drew 71 teams from 26 countries competing in eight categories this year, including robotic prosthetic limbs and wheelchairs. The KAIST team competed against seven other teams from countries including Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and Thailand.
The powered exoskeleton category, dubbed the “Iron Man competition,” stands apart from other events as it requires competitors to walk independently without stable assistance devices like wheelchairs or bicycles.
This year’s competition featured significantly more difficult challenges, causing many teams to withdraw. Tasks included sitting and rising from narrow train-like seats, climbing stairs without handrails, and walking without crutches.
The KAIST team completed all six missions in 6 minutes and 41 seconds, while the second and third-place teams from Switzerland and Thailand managed only two tasks within the 10-minute limit.
A particularly impressive moment came when Kim bent over to cut objects on a cutting board without crutches, drawing amazement from competition commentators.
“The increased difficulty this year was due to our team’s performance in the previous competition,” Kong explained.
“We completed the missions so quickly last time that some even questioned whether our 2020 competitor, Kim Byung-wook, was truly disabled.”
The WalkON Suit F1, developed over two years, is designed for individuals with complete lower body paralysis (ASIA-A level spinal cord injuries). Since their first version in 2016, the team has achieved walking speeds of up to 3.2 kilometers per hour with their 2020 model, matching able-bodied walking speeds.
The latest F1 version features improved motor output and balance control systems. Notably, it introduces a front-mounting design that allows users to put on the device independently while seated in their wheelchair, distinguishing it from other exoskeletons that typically require assistance.
Team captain Park Jung-soo expressed pride in their achievement: “We focused on demonstrating our technological superiority, competing primarily against our own standards. We’re pleased with the results and plan to reveal more features of the WalkON Suit F1 that haven’t been announced yet.”
Kevin Lee (kevinlee@koreabizwire.com)
