In order to reduce the burden on divers who perform civil engineering work in the sea, a demonstration experiment of an underwater "power assist suit" being developed by universities and companies in Hachinohe City, Aomori Prefecture was conducted.
This is being jointly developed by the Faculty of Science and Technology of Hosei University, a port civil engineering company in Hachinohe City, and a diving company, and 13 people concerned participated in the demonstration experiment conducted in Hirono Town, Iwate Prefecture.
The suit of the prototype is attached to both arms, and two rubber tubes are attached to each, and air is blown into it and the force of expansion and contraction is used to lift heavy objects. I will support you.
A diver wearing a suit on both arms lifts a weight of about 50 kg in a pool with a depth of 5 meters and rolls a weight of about 100 kg to check the movement of the suit. did.
Yuji Sasaki, a diver wearing a suit, said, "I felt like I was able to work with less force than usual. By improving the part that is fixed to the body, I think we can exert even stronger assist power." I was talking.
Professor Chiharu Ishii of the Faculty of Science and Technology of Hosei University said, "Currently, I only assist my elbows, but eventually I would like to proceed with development so that I can assist my shoulder movements."
Professor Ishii and his colleagues are planning to make improvements and conduct a second demonstration experiment around the beginning of September.