©REUTERS/Sebin Choi
Pre-reading questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- If you could invent a device to help someone, what would it do?
- How do you think people feel when they overcome a challenge with the help of technology?
Vocabulary:
I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.
- paraplegic /par-uh-PLEE-jik/
- navigate /NAV-i-geyt/
- mobility /moh-BIL-i-tee/
- signal /SIG-nl/
- breakthrough /BREYK-throo/
[adjective] – unable to move or feel the legs or lower part of the body
As a paraplegic individual, he uses a wheelchair to move around.
[verb] – to find a way or direct a course, often using a map or other tools
Pilots must be trained to navigate through challenging weather conditions.
[noun] – the ability to move or be moved freely and easily
Physical therapy helped him regain some mobility after the accident.
[noun] – the data or information sent by the sensors
The sensor sends a signal to the system when it detects movement.
[noun] – an important discovery or event that helps to improve a situation or provide an answer to a problem
The new technology represents a breakthrough in renewable energy development.
Article reading:
Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.
South Korean researchers from the Exoskeleton Laboratory at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) have developed a lightweight wearable robot to help paraplegic individuals walk and perform physical tasks. Known as the WalkON Suit F1, the exoskeleton weighs 50 kg (110 lb) and is powered by 12 electronic motors. It uses sensors to replicate human joint movements, allowing users to walk, climb stairs, and navigate obstacles. The goal is to create a device that fits seamlessly into daily life, giving people with disabilities greater mobility and independence.
Kim Seung-hwan, a paraplegic team member, showcased the robot’s abilities by walking at 3.2 kph (2 mph) and performing actions like stair climbing and side-stepping. The WalkON Suit F1 uses sensors in the soles and upper body to monitor up to 1,000 signals per second, ensuring balance. Its front lenses act as eyes, scanning for obstacles and measuring stair heights to compensate for users’ lack of sensory feedback. This innovation has the potential to transform the lives of paraplegic individuals by providing enhanced mobility and autonomy. At the Cybathlon 2024, Kim earned a gold medal in the exoskeleton category, demonstrating the suit’s effectiveness. This breakthrough represents a major step in assistive robotics, bringing hope to those with disabilities.
Kim Seung-hwan, a paraplegic team member, showcased the robot’s abilities by walking at 3.2 kph (2 mph) and performing actions like stair climbing and side-stepping. The WalkON Suit F1 uses sensors in the soles and upper body to monitor up to 1,000 signals per second, ensuring balance. Its front lenses act as eyes, scanning for obstacles and measuring stair heights to compensate for users’ lack of sensory feedback. This innovation has the potential to transform the lives of paraplegic individuals by providing enhanced mobility and autonomy. At the Cybathlon 2024, Kim earned a gold medal in the exoskeleton category, demonstrating the suit’s effectiveness. This breakthrough represents a major step in assistive robotics, bringing hope to those with disabilities.
Comprehension questions
I will read each question. Then, please answer them based on the article.
- How much does the WalkON Suit F1 weigh?
- What kind of movements does the WalkON Suit F1 replicate?
- What can users of the WalkON Suit F1 do with the help of the device?
- What role do the front lenses of the WalkON Suit F1 play?
- What does the WalkON Suit F1 use to help people walk and perform physical tasks?
Discussion questions
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- Have you ever thought about how robots can help people with disabilities? If yes, what ideas do you have about this? If not, how do you think robots could help people in the future?
- Have you ever tried using any kind of technology to assist with physical tasks, like a fitness tracker or a mobility device? If yes, how did it help you? If not, what kind of technology do you think would be helpful for you?
- Do you agree that robots can help people do things they might not be able to do on their own?
- What do you think would be the most challenging part of using the WalkON Suit F1 for the first time?
- If you could improve the WalkON Suit F1, what changes would you make?