Japanese Mass Produce Exoskeletons

Feb 13, 2008
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Japanese Mass Produce Exoskeletons

Move over HULC [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/90739-HULC-Carry-Heavy-Stuff-Not-Smash], the "Hybrid Assistive Limb" suit is coming from the East, and these exoskeletons are for the public.

First demonstrated back in 2007, the HAL suit from Cyberdyne, can increase your strength by up to ten times.

As the website [http://www.cyberdyne.jp/english/robotsuithal/index.html] explains: "When a person attempts to move, nerve signals are sent from the brain to the muscles via motoneuron, moving the musculoskeletal system as a consequence. At this moment, very weak biosignals can be detected on the surface of the skin. HAL catches these signals through a sensor attached on the skin of the wearer. Based on the signals obtained, the power unit is controlled to wearer's daily activities."

In essence, speedy body makes speedy exoskeleton.

The power unit isn't as long lasting as the HULCs though, only providing 5 hours use between recharges, but there is talk of an EU site opening up to produce them. [http://www.cyberdyne.jp/english/faq/index.html]

Even the price doesn't seem too steep, at a mere $4,200 a pop, but only 400 will be made annually.

While there may be boyish dreams of Iron Man/Batman fantasies from some of us, the exoskeleton also can help disaster rescue teams, heavy industrial jobs, and people with movement disabilities.

That company name sure sounds familiar, though. [http://terminator.wikia.com/wiki/Cyberdyne_Systems]

Source: H+ Magazine [http://www.hplusmagazine.com/articles/robotics/i-am-ironman] via Slashdot [http://hardware.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=09/04/10/0233237&art_pos=10]

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Doug

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Apr 23, 2008
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Impressive as an industrial tool or as a old-person's aid. Although instead of a machine revolution, we have to worry about a "Grey Dawn" scenario (see South Park ;))
 

RollForInitiative

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Mar 10, 2009
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I'd be tempted to buy it for such a low price tag but I expect the waiting list would be somewhat lengthy in nature.
 

Anachronism

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Apr 9, 2009
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On the one hand: absolutely bloody awesome.
On the other hand: Cyberdyne?! Oh God! The machine takeover has begun!
 

Abedeus

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Sep 14, 2008
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MaxTheReaper said:
I'm...hesitant. I don't want to die when SkyNet takes over the world (nice catch, incidentally,) but I really want one of those.
Oh, you won't die. It will just make you its host.
 

Cowabungaa

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Feb 10, 2008
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O wow, from all the unlikely sci fi technologies, I never expected robot battle suits to actually be the first contender of actually becoming real. Not so much Gundam, but Appleseed seems to become pretty likely.

Would be nice if the future would also include the girl, then I'd inlist in the army in no time.
 

Caliostro

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Jan 23, 2008
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Holy...Fuck...

Between being used for construction working, rescue mission, every boyish dream of crime fighting to being used to downright replace missing limbs or allow disabled people to be almost entirely self-sufficient... This is history being made ladies and gentlemen... This, is history right here.
 

Cowabungaa

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Feb 10, 2008
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O wow, I'm just speaking to someone...who is not interested in this thing in the least, and rather sees it removed from existance. What shall we do with this heretic?
 

Zykon TheLich

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Jun 6, 2008
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Add those to the MOD's "Skynet" military comms system:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/7451867.stm

We are doomed.
 

Simalacrum

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Apr 17, 2008
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lol, when he's talking about the cybedine thingymejig, i thought he was referring to the name, HULC: just replace the C with a K aaand...
 

-Seraph-

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May 19, 2008
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I want one....funny thing I got the change for such a thing. I wonder if the muscles used in the device are those retardedly strong carbon non fiber muscles. That would explain the relatively cheap cost of the suit as those muscle sheets are dirt cheap.
 

Random Argument Man

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May 21, 2008
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That's it. Forget Zombies. CYBORG INVASION COMING SOON!!!


It's the thing that will be sold for a few months. Then only reserve for army purposes. You'll see.
 

Shadow Law

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Feb 16, 2009
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RollForInitiative said:
I'd be tempted to buy it for such a low price tag but I expect the waiting list would be somewhat lengthy in nature.
And you thought the wii had a long waiting list!
 

AndyFromMonday

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scumofsociety said:
Add those to the MOD's "Skynet" military comms system:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/7451867.stm

We are doomed.
Ohhhh dear.

To be honest, a suit like that would be awesome, let's just hope terorists won't get a hand on that baby, 'cause if they do we'd be pretty much fucked...