Monday, 02 Aug, 2010
Technology
Latest Invention: Robotic Arm That Connects to Wheelchair

The latest invention from Japanese engineers is a robotic arm for people with physical disabilities.
The user can fully control the robotic arm, which, by the way, has a wide range of motions that could be of much help to disabled people.
Dubbed the RAPUDA (Robotic Arm for Persons with Upper limb DisAbilities), the device can be installed on a wheelchair. It weighs only 13 thirteen pounds, but it can extend over 3 feet to and pick up different objects weighting up to 1 pound, informs Engadget.
There are a couple of drawbacks, however - the current model is somewhat slow and noisy. Watch the video of the device in action after the break.