Wearable robots can assist human muscular power and mobility. The wearable robot technology has great potential in various fields from enhancing the muscular power of people without disability, e.g., workers or soldiers, to assisting and rehabilitating people with disability in walking. Professor Kyoungchul Kong’s research team has developed the wearable robot technology from the sensor and actuator to the integrated robot systems. The team won a bronze medal in the powered exoskeleton race of Cybathlon 2016, gold and bronze medal in the same race of Cybathlon 2020 and gold medal in the same race of Cybathoon 2024. Our team showed a wearable robot for torch bearing of 2018 PyeongChang Paralympics. Recently, the team has also developed the world-lightest and accurate wearable robot, which is suitable even for rehabilitation of children.

Poor eyesight is no longer considered a disability, as it can be easily corrected with glasses or contact lenses. In contrast, mobility impairments lack a complete solution, leaving those with difficulty walking classified as disabled. With an aging global population, including Korea's rapid demographic shift, the need for mobility solutions is growing. While stem cell research aims to restore lost motor functions, practical breakthroughs remain elusive.

Wearable robots offer a promising alternative. These legged robots assist human motion, resembling humanoid robots but requiring precise synchronization with the wearer's intent. Their design must balance functionality with weight limitations for user comfort.

The Exoskeleton Laboratory (EXO Lab) at KAIST develops wearable robots for various applications. One key focus is enhancing human performance for soldiers and workers facing physically demanding tasks. Here, the goal is to recognize and support natural human movements through intelligent control and design.

The second application of EXO Lab is developing robots for complete paraplegics. Since the motor system of complete paraplegics is not functional at all, the human motion could be dominated by the control system of the robot. EXO Lab has developed WalkON Suit, a wearable robot specialized for complete paraplegics.

Professor Kyoungchul Kong, the director of EXO Lab, and his research team have continuously demonstrated their advancements through Cybathlon competitions, improving their technology with each event. In the 2024 Cybathlon, they introduced a significantly enhanced WalkON Suit featuring 12 degrees of freedom and advanced control algorithms. These improvements enabled the pilot to perform complex tasks naturally, including the demanding "Free Walk" task, which required walking without crutches while maintaining balance.

The team’s dedication and technological superiority were evident as they completed three times as many tasks as other teams, ultimately securing first place. Through this victory, EXO Lab has once again proven that wearable robots can provide practical mobility solutions for individuals with complete paraplegia, pushing the boundaries of assistive robotics.