A pair of wearable robotic arms has been developed by designer Yamen Saraij, an assistant professor at the Graduate School of Media Design Keio University (a private university in Tokyo). The robotic arms, which can be worn like a backpack, are remotely controlled by someone else using virtual reality controllers. Aside from the long and lanky robotic arms attached to the wearable backpack, the device is also equipped with two cameras, mounted on top of the backpack which provides visuals to the remote user. Through an oculus rift virtual reality headset, the remote user is able to see what the backpack wearer is seeing while controlling the extra limbs with the virtual reality controllers.
The project referred to as fusion is aimed at exploring how people can work together to augment, or control, another’s body. And the project featured other members of the university as well as the University of Tokyo.
How the wearable robotic arms work
The long extra arms could help weares reach out to more distant objects and to also complete multiple tasks instantly with the help of a remote user. Various fingers on the wearable robotic arms can be controlled effectively using different buttons on the oculus rift controllers. And the fingers can be moved simultaneously. Occasional neck rub, high-fiving, and hugging are also pleasantry gestures achieved using the extra arms aside from picking up objects.
Aside from this project, Saraji has built MetaLimbs; also a wearable set of hands and arms, controlled by the users using their feet.To control the wearer’s hands (another way of using the device), users can replace the mechanical hands with straps that are worn around the wrist by the backpack wearer. This enables the remote user to fully move the arms of the person wearing the backpack. The remote user could be in another room or even another country.
The entire device weighs almost 21 pounds
Each of the robotic arms has seven joints. The backpack has a PC that wirelessly streams data between the person controlling the arms with virtual reality and the backpack wearer. It also connects with the VR controller to receive input data from the remote user. With the robotic head built with sensors to track motions and two cameras that communicate a live feed to the remote user, including the arms, weigh about 21 pounds (9.6 kg). Inside the backpack is a lithium-ion battery that powers the wearable robotic arms. On a full charge, the battery can last up to an hour and a half.
Aside from this project, Saraji has led other similar projects. He built MetaLimbs; also a wearable set of hands and arms, controlled by the users using their feet. The difference here is in the designer’s quest to evaluate how controlling the actions of another person works.
MIT principal research scientist Hermano Igo Krebs, who has also studied how to use robots in rehabilitation for many decades, thinks Saraji robotic arms would not be useful in rehab, according to MIT Technology Review. But he acknowledged that the device will be very useful in many other situations such as assisting astronauts in the space.
This new draconian agreement adds another 25% cut in pay/benefits to be added to the 33% cut AA’s Flight Attendants took in 2003. This means they are receiving nearly 60% less than they were in 2002 – with no raises to match cost-of-living increases. Most Flight Attendants at major airlines have at least a Bachelors degree but began flying careers for the flexibility in work schedule and free travel. However, the new agreement allows AA to create work schedules with 90 flight hours per month (roughly 400 hours away from home p/month). With that much flying, flexibility is history. The other perk, free travel, is no longer free. A pass for one from Chicago to London costs about $200 one-way for an employee. Now that the average salary will be around 28-33K per year, there won’t be a vacation travel budget for most crew members. Additionally, flights are so full that it is almost impossible to find a couple open seats left for oneself and a friend on a leisure trip (employees are given the rare empty seat, if there is one, after all paying passengers, standbys, and management travelers are boarded).
Most American Airlines Flight Attendants are “stuck” in their careers, unable to quit for greener pastures for two reasons. First, the average age of the workforce is 54. Most are too old to begin new careers and, after a decade of concessions, cannot afford to retire early, if at all. Second, younger crew members cannot find new work opportunities due to the decimated job market/economy. I predict, once the economy begins to offer options, there will be a “mass exodus” of cabin crew from most major air carriers in the U.S. This will have a very noticeable effect on the quality of service/safety/security on board our nation’s commercial flights. No one with marketable skills and a decent I.Q. will accept positions as Flight Attendants when the pay and benefits (and unbearable work-rules) are so poor. Airlines won’t be able to attract quality prospects. I foresee the FAA being required to reduce its stringent requirements (F/A’s getting a 90% or better on all written and performance exams (regarding demonstration of safety, security, and medical knowledge). Passengers will be forced to cross their fingers if the aircraft has an emergency landing, someone is having a heart attack, stroke, or giving birth, or if there is a bomb threat or hijacking. What will the frequent flier have to look forward to when he uses his frequent flier points to upgrade to first class? Well, any semblance of professionalism on the part of the crew will become a thing of the past. The “new” Flight Attendant won’t be the well-spoken, literate, intelligent employee with a strong work ethic of the then past. Business travelers can expect a first class service ala Denny’s style. Picture the help at your local frozen yogurt shop then you’ll get the idea. We get what we pay for, and uncontrolled competition between carriers has led to airline’s inability to pay for quality employees.