Arch: the wearable robotic tail created especially for humans

If you've used your fertile imagination to reflect what it would be like to have a tail (inspired by your pets or even NatGeo documentaries), know that your doubts are over. A group of researchers at the Keio University Graduate School of Media Design came up with a brilliant - and rather bizarre - idea to create a human-wearable robotic tail (their dream of becoming the 7-Tailed Fox has never been closer!).

“Arque” is the name of the invention that can, in addition to giving an authentic look, help balance and provide tactile feedback to the user. The creators define it as "artificial anthropomorphic tail for biomimicry."

Arque was built to compensate for the imbalances created by the movements of the human body, but each body has its particularities and thus produces a different type of imbalance. To suit a wider range of users, the robotic tail is highly adaptable. You can adjust its length by adding or removing “vertebrae”. In addition, its weight is also regulated by small metals that may or may not be inserted into each vertebra.

The device has 4 “muscles” that move in up to eight different directions according to the user's actions. The creators claim that humans often suffer from a lack of balance - for example when climbing a steep hill or carrying very heavy objects. Arch, in this sense, would serve to correct the gravitational center of the body and prevent possible falls. Thus, according to the creators, the robotic tail would be a way of expanding the native functions of the human body.

Future applications for this device could include preventing fall injuries and even enhancing the experiences of video games using artificial reality. What is your opinion about this device ? Would you use the Arque tail? Share with us in the comments!