The Register® — Biting the hand that feeds IT

Feeds

Robotic exoskeleton gets gardening job

Dig up sprouts with ease

Honda has already paraded several robotic exoskeletons designs. But now the concept’s been adapted to aid gardeners digging up spuds and pulling radishes.

Can't see the video? Download Flash Player from Adobe.com

The Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology has designed what’s been dubbed a wearable agriculture robotic suit for tough farming work, according to a report by website Japan Probe.

Essentially, the wearer’s muscles are aided by the suit’s eight motors positioned around troublesome areas, such as the shoulders, elbows and knees.

Its designers hope to bring the exoskeleton to market within two years. It’s expected to cost between ¥500,000 and ¥1m (£7669/€8425/$11,195).

Latest Comments

How long...

...before the first MOD forum goes online, giving you tips on how to "overclock" you powersuit?

Mine's the cargolifter.

0
0

I'll wait for firmware 2.0

So that it doesn't make you look like you've shat yourself when you're walking.

OTOH, maybe the poor operator has done just that.

0
0

can i...

Dont care about picking sprouts or digging them up but if I buy one can I jump a hundred feet, kick down walls, pickup a car, fly, or at least something cool? If not I think im gonna pass...

0
0

@Lionel Baden

It's about the same cost as a tractor isn't it?

0
0

Fired

I worked agricultural jobs as summer work while a teenager (picking strawberries, picking apples, picking tobacco (yes, tobacco)), and I would have been fired if I worked that slowly.

0
0

More from The Register

US boffin builds 32-way Raspberry Pi cluster
Beowulf cluster built for the price of a single PC
MYSTERY Nokia Lumia with gazillion-pixel camera 'spotted'
With 20Mp sensor - NOW will you try Windows Phone 8?
 breaking news
Review: HP Pavilion 14 Chromebook
All roads lead to Chrome?
Borked your iDevice? Pay EVEN MORE to have it fixed by Applecare
Or scream at their hapless techies on their forums
Euro PC shipments plummet into bottomless pit of DOOOOM
11th quarter of decline, 20pc drop on last year - Gartner
Dell's PC-on-a-stick landing in July: report
Wyse up, suckers, could this be a new set-side-stick?
Nintendo throws flaming legal barrel at YouTubing fans
All your walk-through vid revenue are belong to us
Report: AT&T dropping Facebook phone after dismal sales
Turns out folks won't buy that for a dollar