From comic book pages into reality

A robotic outfit company based in Japan, Sagawa Electronics recently has made one step closer Gundam Mobile Suits with real life, because the company has made a robotic exoskeleton called the Power Jakcet MK3. Japan is famous worldwide for its affinity mecha and robot stories, especially in the anime industry. But the Power Jacket MK3 has bridged the gap between comics and reality, because it’s wearable, and mimics the movement of our bodies.

The exoskeleton frame is made of aluminum and carbon fiber, keeping it light enough at 25 kg. The robot suit that has more than 7 feet (2.13 m) tall, and uses a master-slave system where the users’ limbs are strapped to motorized robotic joints. As the user moves, the movement drives the motion for the suit’s corresponding joints and limbs.

A school girl wearing Sagawa Electronics' Power Jacket MK3 stands above a grown man. (Picture from: http://www.gizmag.com/)

The Power Jacket MK3 has a total of 14 servo motors, and design for the arm is strong enough, and actually capable of lifting as much as 15 kg (33 lbs), but Sagawa Electronics, limiting the lifting power of 2 kg (4.4 lbs) for security reasons. The suit construction is also powerful enough to handle a quick jog, and the robotic hands’ action and feel are delicate enough to pick up an egg without cracking it.

The Power Jacket MK3's fingers are delicate enough to lift an egg without cracking it. (Picture from: http://www.gizmag.com/)

Currently, the Power Jacket MK3 more recreational than practical, but it is a step in the right direction - that direction being mobile exoskeletons like Gundam mobile suits that we know and love. Watch the ghastly "Scarface Santaro" present the suit in this humorous demonstration video:

Sagawa Electronics said, they will make five of these Power Jackets and may be sold at a price of 123,000 U.S. dollars per unit. Like the Kuratas mecha, may be a while until we find a practical use of these things are enough to justify mass production.  But it still is nothing short of awesome. The company plans to showcase the Power Jacket MK3 at Wonder Festival 2013 at the end of this month. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | GIZMAG | JDP]

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