Robotic arm made in North Texas could help in rehab and the workplace

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By Miriam Fauzia, The Dallas Morning News

DALLAS – What if you could wear a robotic device that boosted your strength and endurance, making heavy lifting and other physical tasks feel almost effortless? In some labs and factories, that high-tech future is creeping into real life.

Scientists at the University of Texas at Arlington, for example, have built a soft exoskeleton that fastens onto the arm and, in one recent study, reduced how hard participants’ biceps and triceps had to work while lifting a weight and using a power drill.

The exoskeleton — which looks a bit like a large, see-through caterpillar attached to an arm sleeve — inflates to help drive arm movements. It’s one of an increasing number of wearable technologies aimed at assist