Robotic suit augments farmer strength

The suit, unveiled on Friday by researchers at Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, is a prototype wearable assistance machine equipped with eight motors and 16 sensors.

The 55-pound device is designed to assist elderly farmers who need support for their leg muscles and joints when they keep a crouching position or lift their arms high.

In a demonstration, a person wearing the suit pulled radishes from the ground and picked oranges from high branches like a robot.