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MIT’s SuperLimbs
MIT’s SuperLimbs are wearable robotic limbs developed by a team of researchers led by Harry Asada, a professor of mechanical engineering at MIT. These SuperLimbs are designed to assist astronauts in regaining their balance and mobility on the moon, where the reduced gravity can make movements challenging for individuals wearing bulky spacesuits. The SuperLimbs are part of a backpack system that includes a life support system, controllers, and motors to operate the robotic limbs.
The purpose of SuperLimbs is to help astronauts conserve energy during extravehicular activities (EVAs) on the lunar surface, particularly in missions like NASA’s Artemis program, which aims to establish a permanent human presence on the moon. The SuperLimbs address the issue of astronauts falling over or struggling to maintain stability due to the constraints imposed by their spacesuits and the low lunar gravity.
During the development of SuperLimbs, researchers conducted tests with healthy volunteers to evaluate the effectiveness of the system. Volunteers wore a constrictive garment that limited their movements, simulating the challenges faced by astronauts in space. The SuperLimbs were able to assist these volunteers in standing up with less effort and maintaining stability more easily.
The design of SuperLimbs incorporates advanced control systems that analyze the movements of users and provide assistance accordingly. By mapping common sequences of motion and using ergonomic principles, the SuperLimbs can predict when an individual is about to fall and intervene to prevent accidents.
In addition to aiding astronauts on the moon, MIT researchers have also explored applications for SuperLimbs in other industries such as aircraft manufacturing and shipbuilding. The technology has potential uses beyond space ex..
