The ExoArm Assistive Exoskeleton Prototype

From Aliens to Iron Man to actual scientific research, enhancing humans’ strength via a powered exoskeleton is something that has been on our collective minds for years. This could mean enhancement to super-human strength, or could simply allow those with physical limitations to accomplish normal tasks, like walking or lifting an arm.

Though you might think that research into these devices is best left to the professionals, Kristjan Berce of the Tex Workshop YouTube channel decided to take this on himself with a budget of $100. Though his system, which uses an Arduino Uno for control and a windshield wiper motor to make the physical movements, is currently only in prototype form, it’s still quite functional.

You can see it demonstrated in the first video, enabling Berce to extend his arm via sensor control, and contract at the elbow via a button held on his fingers. He even shows it being used to help him lift a bicycle, a task that would have been difficult without this type of assistance.

As for how the ExoArm was actually built, it’s a great example of what can be done with simple hand tools, such as a drill press, hacksaw, and file. Check out his process in the video directly below.

[h/t: Hackaday]