South Korean Team Creates ‘Iron Man’ Robot to Assist Paraplegics in Walking

The WalkON Suit F1 is a lightweight exoskeleton designed to help people with lower-body paralysis walk, climb stairs, and move sideways. Demonstrated by paraplegic Kim Seung-hwan from KAIST’s Exoskeleton Laboratory, the suit allowed him to walk at 3.2 km/h and even sit on a bench.

Weighing 50kg and made from aluminum and titanium, the suit features 12 motors that replicate human joint movements and sensors to maintain balance. It uses front-facing lenses to detect obstacles and stair heights, compensating for a lack of sensory feedback.

Inspired by Iron Man, the suit earned Kim a gold medal at Cybathlon 2024, showcasing the potential of assistive robots for those with disabilities.