This Robotic Tail Could Help People With Balance Problems

Author:

Inside Edition

Keywords:

artificial muscles,balance,cat-news,elderly,human tail,ie science,inside edition,inside_edition,japan,mara montalbano,robotic tail,science,tail

Subtitles:

evolution didn't leave humans with tails but science is attempting to change that Japanese researchers say some people especially the elderly could benefit from an extra appendage that's why they created this three foot long robotic tail to help keep users on their feet this is a tail that helps people balance for example when a human tilts the body like this the tail moves in the opposite direction than that of the tilted direction the tail keeps balance like a pendulum the device attaches to the waist and moves in eight directions with artificial muscles and compressed air while it's meant to mimic the tail of a monkey or a cheetah it's not very practical for people at the moment it's a work in progress and researchers are keeping it in the lab until they can come up with a more flexible version but for those seeking help with their balancing problems one very unique solution may be on the way for inside addition calm I'm Mara montalbano