The advancements in technology, especially in the field of augmented technology, work towards mitigating problems humans face on a regular basis. The workforce at a factory or warehouse is always at risk of serious and chronic injury either by handling heavy objects or by doing the same task repeatedly. A battery-powered glove may now be able to alleviate some of the workload pressure.
The “Ironhand” glove increases the wearer’s grip, allowing them to execute repeated manual activities using less power. Bioservo, the company that created it, claims that it may boost the wearer’s hand strength by 20%. The apparatus referred to is regarded as a “soft exoskeleton” by the Swedish business. “When you have the glove on, it provides strength and reduces the effort needed when lifting objects,” says Mikael Wester, Bioservo’s marketing director. “It’s all in order to reduce fatigue and prevent strain injuries in the long run.”
The system comprises a backpack that stores the power pack as well as artificial tendons that link the glove to the backpack. When a user grips an object, the motor is activated by sensors on each fingertip. The grip strength and sensitivity may be adjusted via remote control or an app. Each Ironhand system is around €6,000 ($7,275). The gadget also captures information that allows the corporation to determine the wearer’s risk of strain injuries.
GM is exploring a variety of exoskeletons, including the Ironhand. The exoskeleton market will expand from $392 million in 2020 to $6.8 billion in 2030, according to market research firm ABI Research.
Although augmented technology has been gaining praise across the world, many criticisms have also risen against it, the most common one being that “Humans should not play God”. While the advantages outnumber the disadvantages so far, the reality is that there is no governance, rules, or policies on these kinds of technologies that are not limited to any region. While research leadership has risen, we still have a long way to go before we have a comprehensive view of the ramifications of these enhanced technologies and, as a result, can design a fair management plan. However, there is no doubt that these kinds of technologies will continue to enjoy a rise in popularity, and we can expect a rise in augmented technology that can make human life easier in the coming years.