Exoskeleton firm Bioservo is making it possible for earthlings to use the RoboGlove which was used by NASA astronauts in space to help keep a strong grip on tools even in zero-gravity.
The RoboGlove is powered by a battery and helps multiply the force of its human user's grip in order to make things easy and safer in the workplace. NASA created the device in order to help their astronauts in space as holding and gripping tools while floating around is no easy task for anyone.
Bioservo's version is called the "SEM" short for "Soft Extra Muscle" glove which pretty much does the same thing but is designed for normal everyday use, TechCrunch has learned. The glove aims to help those who have weaker grips due to an injury to their arm or hand and those who are working in factories or plants.
Unfortunately, the SEM is not clad in metal or copper. The glove looks like an ordinary glove except for the extended cloth that covers the forearm and the power line that extends to a bag that carries the battery.
Bioservo aims to improve the SEM glove by integrating it further with the RoboGlove, VentureBeat reported. Astronauts will not be the only ones using the enhanced cyborg-like enhancement for the arm and the hand.
Repetitive tasks with grip force usually end up injuring the worker or cause delays as they can quickly get tired. Accidents are also common if the worker fails to grip a tool properly.
The SEM from Bioservo is not the first device that can multiply the strength of a human user. Spring Loaded Technology introduced their bionic knee-brace earlier this year. What it does is that it stores much needed kinetic energy so that the user will have an extra boost in strength and sturdiness when they stand up or move their legs straight.
Bionic enhancements are starting to flourish even more thanks to the advancements in technology. In the future, there could be a possibility that the devices can even be used for military applications just like the ones in the recent titles of the fictional Call of Duty video game.