Assistive exoskeletons now available in Japanese electronic stores

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We have all heard about robotic exoskeletons being employed by Japanese companies to ensure their workers do not succumb to back-breaking labor. As cool as they sound, however, high production cost means that most of these devices are simply out of public reach.

However, Powersuit specialist company Innophys has been developing proprietary “muscle suits” for years. Yet unlike its peers, Innophys has now reached a point where their suits are cheap and accessible enough to be sold in Japanese electronics chain store Bic Camera.

At 149,600 yen per unit, it’s also much more affordable, meaning this exoskeleton will likely change the lives of many.

The “Every Muscle Suit” has a lot going for it. Weighing just 3.8 kilograms, the pneumatic artificial muscle suit is powerful enough to generate up to 25.5 kilogram-force and effectively relieves pressure on users’ backs when performing activities like heavy lifting.

Best of all, its streamlined design conceals an advanced air pressure system that doesn’t require electricity or batteries.

That’s right, you won’t even need to recharge this thing.

The suit is also made of dust-resistant and waterproof material, making it immensely useful for caretakers, construction workers, or warehouse employees who often find themselves carrying heavy stuff around all day.

Conventional exoskeletons usually cost around five times the price of the Every Muscle Suit, but research efforts by the Tokyo University of Science and electronics company Ricoh have drastically reduced manufacturing costs.

True to Innophys’ vision in reaching out to as many people as possible, all Bic Camera stores now stock Every Muscle Suits in various sizes. And if you are on the fence about it, the Bic Camera Shinjuku branch allows customers to test-run suits to see how they fare before buying.

Thanks to companies like Innophys, it may only be a matter of time before futuristic exoskeleton technology like the Every Muscle Suit or the wearable chair become commonplace in households.

Source: Innophys via Kaden Watch