Japan has led the way in the field of robotics and in keeping with this tradition has become the first country to begin mass-producing a robot that will help human beings become more mobile. Meet Robot Suit HAL (Hybrid Assistive Limb) and shake his hand; that is, if he will let you. Robot Suit HAL is worn over the arms and legs. Through the use of eight electric motors attached to shoulders, elbows, knees and the waist, this device greatly assists body movement. Produced by Cyberdyne Inc, the company expects to make the robot suit available for rental through specific sales outlets in the very near future. Almost like those fairy tale boots and magic carpets that transport the wearer into mystical realms of flying and super powers, this incredible device supports the limb movements of the wearer, and through the help of sensors quickly responds to wherever more mobility is needed. Robot Suit HAL’s secret powers are derived from a unique method that senses bioelectric signals sent from the brain, rather by than detecting muscle movements. Commercialization of Robot Suit HAL is still in its infancy and there are some technical problems. Robot Suit HAL remains creepy and weird however, because its essence translates into a person controlling the robot by his or her own will even if the user is unable to move! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VSP46lWvxJ4 source: web-japan.org / weirdasianews
I'll order mine in Red then please~ XP lol.. someone on youtube commented "looks like his wearing a wii..." but the idea of making artificial limbs for those who have unluckily lost theirs is a great idea. =]
I love that there is actually a company called Cyberdyne. Where is sarah connor when you need her. This suit is an amazing advance in robotics though. If someone can design a method of tapping into the human nervous system and tie the brain into a suit like this it would mean that people in wheelchairs could have the opportunity to stand and walk again. The industrial applications are also pretty significant in jobs where heavy lifting is required. This is just the first step to owning my own gundam come oooon future.
