To be or not to be… a cyborg – Japanese researchers develop wearable robot arms to 'unlock creativity'

[Lightwreather]

Summary

 Masahiko Inami's team at the University of Tokyo have created wearable robotic arms apparently called "Jizai arms". They are apparently developing a series of technologies founded on the idea f "Jizai" – a Japanese word that roughly translates to autonomy (or "Freely" according to google). 

This was apparently created to "unlock creativity", and was somehow showcased in a promotional video where two dancers completed a ballet routine with the arms.

However, it seems that presently the arms are not controlled by the wearer but rather by another operator, it is unclear if this will ever be an option

Masahiko Inami of the University of Tokyo poses with the wearable "Jizai Arms" robot arms at his lab during its demonstration in Tokyo (via REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon)

 

Quotes

Quote

The aim is to foster something like the relationship between musician and instrument, "lying somewhere between a human and a tool, like how a musical instrument can become as if a part of your body."

Inami says he was inspired by traditional Japanese puppetry and a quasi-horror short story by novelist Yasunari Kawabata about a man who borrows a young woman's arm and proceeds to spend the night with it.

"This is absolutely not a rival to human beings, but rather something that helps us do as we please, like a bicycle or e-bike. It supports us and can unlock creativity," Inami said.

Some wearers grow attached to the arms after some time, Inami said. "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.

But the potential goes beyond turning a novelist's fantasy into reality, such as helping in search-and-rescue missions, he added. "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.

 

My thoughts

Looks like a future where Doc Oc is a reality might not be far off. Terrible attempt humour aside, I'll be honest, I love silly innovations like this, simply because it's kinda fun. We need more of this kind of stuff. Anyway, if it gains the ability to be operated by the person donning the thing, and without the need for a remote of sorts, I can see it become much more useful (although one has to wonder about the weight). 

 

Sources

Reuters

[Blqckqut]

5 minutes ago, Lightwreather JfromN said:

Summary

 Masahiko Inami's team at the University of Tokyo have created wearable robotic arms apparently called "Jizai arms". They are apparently developing a series of technologies founded on the idea f "Jizai" – a Japanese word that roughly translates to autonomy (or "Freely" according to google). 

This was apparently created to "unlock creativity", and was somehow showcased in a promotional video where two dancers completed a ballet routine with the arms.

However, it seems that presently the arms are not controlled by the wearer but rather by another operator, it is unclear if this will ever be an option

Masahiko Inami of the University of Tokyo poses with the wearable "Jizai Arms" robot arms at his lab during its demonstration in Tokyo (via REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon)

 

Quotes

 

My thoughts

Looks like a future where Doc Oc is a reality might not be far off. Terrible attempt humour aside, I'll be honest, I love silly innovations like this, simply because it's kinda fun. We need more of this kind of stuff. Anyway, if it gains the ability to be operated by the person donning the thing, and without the need for a remote of sorts, I can see it become much more useful (although one has to wonder about the weight). 

 

Sources

Reuters

pair it with elons brain implant

[SorryBella]

2 hours ago, Lightwreather JfromN said:

This was apparently created to "unlock creativity"

So will it make us Chainsaw Man Season 2 directed by Ryu Nakayama? Or is that ship sank long ago?

[williamcll]

Arms huh?

 

[Bananasplit_00]

17 hours ago, Lightwreather JfromN said:

inspired by... a quasi-horror short story by novelist Yasunari Kawabata about a man who borrows a young woman's arm and proceeds to spend the night with it.

What in the.... This feels like a pretty messed up inspiration for additional cyborg arms

[Stahlmann]

5 hours ago, Bananasplit_00 said:

What in the.... This feels like a pretty messed up inspiration for additional cyborg arms

That's Japan for you.

[CypherDusk]

The power of the sun.... in the palm of my hand..

 

Excited to see if this becomes more than a concept controlled by another person.

[John Reactor]

Japanese version of Dr. Octopus?

[strajk-]

A revolution for lonely nights, non-dominant hand going to lose its job.