真“半人马”来了！
Hydraulic-powered exoskeletons (a kind of wearable robot that helps people move) that help wearers lift heavy objects or move freely have existed for years, but a team of Chinese researchers has recently introduced a unique new model inspired by the mythological centaur (a creature with a human upper body and a horse’s lower body in ancient stories). Named the “Centaur” power suit, it is basically a bipedal (two-legged) robot that is fixed to the wearer’s back, acting as an extra pair of legs that walks together with them. These robotic legs follow the user’s movements closely and adapt naturally when the user changes direction or speed.
Most exoskeletons are attached to the user’s body and limbs to help them move, but the Centaur works as a separate pair of extra legs. This design has clear advantages: it can fully carry heavy loads without restricting the wearer’s movements, avoiding the uncomfortable sense of being restricted that traditional suits bring. It connects to the wearer’s back through a flexible connecting part with a nonlinear spring, which keeps stable when the force is small and remains comfortable even when carrying heavier loads, effectively separating human and robotic movement forces.