A team of Japanese researchers recently unveiled wearable robotic arms in a bid to unleash human creativity.
About the invention: The Inami Lab research team, led by the University of Tokyo’s Information Somatics professor Masahiko Inami, created spider-like robotic limbs called “Jizai Arms” that can be controlled by the wearer.
Meant to augment and support humans, the entire Jizai Arms system consists of a wearable base unit equipped with six terminals and four detachable robot arms.
Inami’s inspirations: Inspired by the Japanese concept of “jizai,” which refers to autonomy and the freedom to act as one pleases, Inami sought to create technology that would transcend the boundaries between humans and machines.
Inami also based his ideas on traditional Japanese puppetry and a short story by renowned novelist Yasunari Kawabata about an aging man who borrows one of the arms of a beautiful young woman for a night.
According to the lead scientist, he visualized a scenario where these robotic arms would function akin to “how a musical instrument can become as if a part of your body.”
Impressive demo: In a promotional video uploaded by the team to YouTube in February, two ballet dancers gracefully perform a routine to showcase what the arms can do. The dance ends with the dancers hugging each other with their real and cyborg arms.
Inami noted that some wearers find themselves emotionally attached to the arms and that removing them “feels a little sad.”
At its current iteration, the system weighs 4 kilograms (approximately 8.8 pounds), and wearing them for an extended period may tire some users out.
Looking into the future: In addition to aiding humans during search-and-rescue missions, Inami hopes his Jizai Arms will prove useful in recreational activities as well.
“We might see wings growing out of people’s backs, or drones attached to people,” he said, before adding, “Maybe someone will come up with a sport that requires six arms or invent a new type of swimming.”