Sat 22 Nov 2008

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Robot suit available for rent

Helps you walk even when you are legless

A ROBOTIC SUIT that reads brain waves and helps people with walk will be available to rent in Japan for US$2,200 a month.

HAL, which is the unfortunate name for the hybrid assistive limb suit, has sensors that read brain signals directing limb movement through the skin.

The 10 kilogram battery-operated computer system is belted to the waist. It captures the brain signals and sends instructions to mechanical leg braces strapped to the thighs and knees.

Cyberdyne said it will mass-produce HAL. The demonstration video shows a partially paralysed person getting up from a chair and walking slowly wearing the HAL suit.

HAL comes in three sizes, small, medium and large, if you are legless there is a cut price version. µ

L'Inq
AP

Comments

sci-fi movies

Cyberdyne and HAL? Did the people who make these also have no legs and watch a lot of movies on the couch?
posted by : nox, 07 October 2008

This got to be a joke

Just for a start the names can't be just a coincidence. Hal is the name of the psycho computer on 2001: A Space Odyssey film.
The name of the company is also the same as the company on Terminator 2 Movie. Then the machine simply reads brainwaves.

I won't buy this story until i see some of those on the streets with my very eyes.
posted by : Edson, 07 October 2008

Well we're fekcud

Next Hyperdyne will be producing a home security system called Gort.
posted by : Dirk Gently, 07 October 2008

Skynet

We've already got aq Skynet.

I'm just waiting for the rise of the machines to start happening now... - probably way before the 4th terminator movie ever gets finished :p
posted by : Jon, 07 October 2008

Looks Real Enough

I was thinking the same thing, but they are mentioned on the mighty Wiki.. but we all know that doesn't lend any real validity to the story.

And here's their site:

http://www.cyberdyne.jp/English/

There are even old articles about them, including a link to Time Magazine in 2005, which mentions that the inventor says he has never seen 2001.
posted by : Dick Verant, 07 October 2008

the story is true

the story is true only the names have been changed they do it all the time, i find it funny though
posted by : william, 07 October 2008

@Dirk G

What's the problem with that? All you need to say is "Gort! Klaatu barada nikto" and they'll shut down!
posted by : DaveK, 07 October 2008

Cyberdyne is real, so is HAL.

http://www.cyberdyne.jp/english/index.html

Some technical drawing images of person wearing HAL
http://www.cyberdyne.jp/english/robotsuithal/move.html

Some photos of 2 people using HAL on stairs are at:
http://www.freshnews.in/robot-suit-for-rent-in-japan-to-help-people-walk-82049

I too thought it was a joke until I spent 20 seconds googling and clicking links. Does anyone use Cuil?
posted by : interested_party, 08 October 2008

Where the Borg then?

What have HAL, Cyberdyne. Where is the Borg then? You can't really miss them out, can you?

RE: Edson,
I can't find any clips, but found their website & pics.
- http://www.cyberdyne.jp/english/index.html
- http://web-japan.org/trends/07_sci-tech/sci080822.html
- http://sanlab.kz.tsukuba.ac.jp/r_hal.php

One of the site is from a university, so i guess the story should be real. The good thing is, its nothing like the Terminator (yet), except the flashly blue light...

:P
posted by : Newbie, 08 October 2008
IThound
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