Robots can do good for mankind, not only in the future but also right now. Case in point: RAPUDA [JP], a robotic arm, which – once mounted onto a wheelchair – can help the disabled manage certain tasks they’d normally require the help of other people for on their own.  It’s developed by the Intelligent Systems Research Institute [JP] at Japan’s National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST).

RAPUDA is specifically designed for people with upper limp disabilities who can use a joystick to move a glass of water to the mouth or to pick up objects from the floor and place them on a table.

The robotic arm was first shown to the general public in September last year.

See the latest version in action in the video embedded below: