Japanese Researchers Develop Wearable Robot Arms
2023-06-30
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1A team at Tokyo University is developing robotic arms that people can wear.
2The devices could find use in areas from creative expression to search and rescue operations.
3Masahiko Inami is a professor who develops systems to expand human abilities.
4Inami's team at the University of Tokyo is designing the wearable robotic arms.
5The team is developing a series of technologies rooted in the idea of "jizai."
6It is a Japanese idea that he says roughly means the autonomy and the freedom to do as one wants.
7The aim is to create something like the relationship between a musician and an instrument.
8Inami said, "Lying somewhere between a human and a tool, like how a musical instrument can become as if a part of your body."
9Inami says the idea came to him when he thought of traditional Japanese puppetry and a short story by Yasunari Kawabata.
10The story is about a young man who borrows a young woman's right arm.
11Inami said the robotic device is "not a rival to human beings, but rather something that helps us do as we please."
12He added that it was "like a bicycle or e-bike. It supports us and can unlock creativity."
13A video called JIZAI ARMS shows two dancers performing with the robotic arms on their backs.
14The humans and machines move together in the performance.
15The dancers come together and move in similar ways either leading or following the robot arms.
16Inami said some wearers grow attached to the arms after some time.
17"Taking them off after using them for a while feels a little sad. That's where they're a little different to other tools," he said.
18But Inami added that the possibilities for the robot arms go beyond turning a short story into real life.
19He said such machines could help in search and rescue operations.
20He wondered if similar devices could be used to fly or perform sports in the future.
21"In the future we might see wings growing out of people's backs, or drones attached to people...Maybe someone will come up with a sport that requires six arms or invent a new type of swimming," Inami said.
22I'm Jill Robbins.
1A team at Tokyo University is developing robotic arms that people can wear. The devices could find use in areas from creative expression to search and rescue operations. 2Masahiko Inami is a professor who develops systems to expand human abilities. Inami's team at the University of Tokyo is designing the wearable robotic arms. 3The team is developing a series of technologies rooted in the idea of "jizai." It is a Japanese idea that he says roughly means the autonomy and the freedom to do as one wants. 4The aim is to create something like the relationship between a musician and an instrument. Inami said, "Lying somewhere between a human and a tool, like how a musical instrument can become as if a part of your body." 5Inami says the idea came to him when he thought of traditional Japanese puppetry and a short story by Yasunari Kawabata. The story is about a young man who borrows a young woman's right arm. 6Inami said the robotic device is "not a rival to human beings, but rather something that helps us do as we please." He added that it was "like a bicycle or e-bike. It supports us and can unlock creativity." 7A video called JIZAI ARMS shows two dancers performing with the robotic arms on their backs. The humans and machines move together in the performance. The dancers come together and move in similar ways either leading or following the robot arms. 8Inami said some wearers grow attached to the arms after some time. "Taking them off after using them for a while feels a little sad. That's where they're a little different to other tools," he said. 9But Inami added that the possibilities for the robot arms go beyond turning a short story into real life. He said such machines could help in search and rescue operations. 10He wondered if similar devices could be used to fly or perform sports in the future. 11"In the future we might see wings growing out of people's backs, or drones attached to people...Maybe someone will come up with a sport that requires six arms or invent a new type of swimming," Inami said. 12I'm Jill Robbins. 13Anton Bridge and Tom Bateman reported this story for The Associated Press. Gregory Stachel adapted it for VOA Learning English. 14_______________________________________________________________ 15Words in This Story 16autonomy - n. the state of existing or acting separately from others 17instrument - n. a tool or device used for a particular purpose 18puppetry - n. the skill or activity of using puppets in performances 19rival - n. a person or thing that tries to defeat or be more successful than another 20bicycle - n. a two-wheeled vehicle that a person rides by pushing on foot pedals 21drone - n. a type of small aircraft that flies without a pilot 22_______________________________________________________________ 23What do you think of this story? 24We want to hear from you. We have a new comment system. Here is how it works: 25Each time you return to comment on the Learning English site, you can use your account and see your comments and replies to them. Our comment policy is here.