HAL Robot Suits May Help Disabled And The Elderly To Move


Here is something that may interest all the robotic suits fans out there. A new robotic suit aims to help disabled people move by reading brain signals and this would have far reaching benefits for the disabled and elderly as well. The device is known as the HAL or Hybrid Assistive Limb. It is a computerized suit, which comes with sensors and it, reads brain signals and directs limb movement through the skin.

It is operated by a 22-pound battery and is worn as a belt around the waist. A Japanese company Cyberdyne, will manufacture these suits and may cost $1,500 for a monthly rental fee. What it does is, it goes ahead and captures the brain signals and relays them to mechanical leg braces strapped to the thighs and knees, which then provide robotic assistance to people as they walk. It still is not known when and how the HAL will go on sale and what it’s pricing is going to be.

This device may help the disabled, the elderly and anyone who may find it difficult to move. Robotic technology has indeed come a long way and now i see a great future for the medical field thanks to these little robots.

Via: ChinaDaily/AP/ AFP

This entry was posted by author: Vlad on Tuesday, October 7th, 2008 at 1:30 pm and is filed under Concept, Eco Friendly, Japanese gadgets, Medical gadget, Robot, Technology | Tags: · , , , , , , , , You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
Related Posts:

Leave your response!

You must be logged in to post a comment.

« Separate Keitai Mobile Phone from DoCoMo | Home | Listen to Your Heart with iPhone Heart Monitor »