Photo: Kamata Lab
People who cannot walk on their own, and require a wheelchair to get around often face challenges which are simply too much to handle, or go around. Stairs are very bad for wheelchairs, and they represent an impassable barrier. However, technology may bring hope to those in need, with a robot from the University of Tokyo’s Kamata Lab, called NOROROT.
It has the ability to climb stairs, despite being a wheeled vehicle, with four wheels. They revolve around in pairs, and propel the bot up stairs, while keeping the body perfectly level and stable. It achieves with the use of high-torque actuators which push it up with ease, and if could even carry the weight of person, if calibrated correctly.
According to the company, the technology could become commercially available as a stair-climbing wheelchair, by 2017, but aside from this sole purpose, other uses will undoubtedly be found for it.
Story via gizmag.com
According to the company, the technology could become commercially available as a stair-climbing wheelchair, by 2017, but aside from this sole purpose, other uses will undoubtedly be found for it.
Story via gizmag.com
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