Artificial Muscle

Technology With the increasing elderly population who need physical assistance moving around, Okayama University is working on a Mckibben Artificial Muscle system that uses air pressure to help the elderly and disabled　move. The system consists of a thin mesh over a rubber tube that expands and contracts like real muscles as air is pumped into it. This can help improve people's grip and even help people who can't stand stand up. Since it mimics the natural muscle behavior this technology is appealing but there are a few drawbacks still to fix such as the weight and size of the compressed air generator and control unit as well as precision controls for fine motions.