AugLimb: Compact Robotic Limb for Human Augmentation

TL;DR

AugLimb is a lightweight, compact robotic limb designed for human augmentation, featuring an extendable mechanism that significantly increases reach while maintaining comfort and practicality for daily use.

Contribution

The paper introduces a novel compact robotic limb with a double-layer scissor mechanism that extends reach and can be worn comfortably on the upper arm.

Findings

Prototype successfully demonstrates 2.5 times arm extension

Design achieves lightweight and low-burden augmentation

Device transforms into a compact form for ease of wear

Abstract

This work proposes a compact robotic limb, AugLimb, that can augment our body functions and support the daily activities. AugLimb adopts the double-layer scissor unit for the extendable mechanism which can achieve 2.5 times longer than the forearm length. The proposed device can be mounted on the user's upper arm, and transform into compact state without obstruction to wearers. The proposed device is lightweight with low burden exerted on the wearer. We developed the prototype of AugLimb to demonstrate the proposed mechanisms. We believe that the design methodology of AugLimb can facilitate human augmentation research for practical use. see http://www.jaist.ac.jp/~xie/auglimb.html