Max Robotics — Global Service Robot Directory + US Certification

About

Kimoon Nam is a rising leader in the field of wearable robotics, with a research focus on the design, actuation, and control of lightweight exosuits for human locomotion. His work centers on reducing the metabolic cost of walking through bio-inspired assistance, particularly for the ankle joint—a critical driver of gait efficiency. Nam’s major contributions include the development of a quasi-direct drive actuator with an embedded pulley, which enables a compact, lightweight, and high-bandwidth exosuit that overcomes the bulkiness and low control performance of earlier soft robots. His most cited paper (2023, 29 citations) demonstrates that hip abduction assistance can significantly reduce walking effort and improve balance, advancing the understanding of multi-joint robotic support. Nam has also pioneered a lighter, simpler design paradigm for ankle exosuits based on natural movement patterns, and his recent work (2025) tackles the critical challenge of reducing personalization time in human-in-the-loop optimization, moving exosuit technology from the lab to real-world outdoor use. With a growing citation impact and a clear trajectory toward practical, user-friendly wearable robots, Nam is shaping the future of assistive mobility.