Say Hello To HAL

Posted by Ali S. in Science & Tech, Video Clips on July 5, 2008 at 7:46 pm


Allow me to introduce you to HAL – the “Hybrid Assistive Limb” from Cyberdyne. HAL, is a robotic suit or rather exoskeleton that can be worn by humans to potentially give them superhuman strength by multiplying the users strength by a factor of 2 to 10. Created by Prof. Yoshiyuki Sankai of Tsukuba University of Japan the HAL robotic suit is able to detect minute bio-signals on the skin when sent from the nervous system to the muscles which are then read by a computer system and translated into movement by the power units. After receiving the signals the power units on the arms and legs are then activated to mimic the movement of the limbs.

Will we see these HALs being used on our streets soon? Perhaps in the near future, however, at the moment the HAL is touted for use in Japan only. A quick look at HAL’s product page offers some insight on what exactly the suit could be used for:


HAL is expected to be applied in various fields such as rehabilitation support and physical training support in medical field, ADL support for disabled people, heavy labour support at factories, and rescue support at disaster sites, as well as in the entertainment field.

Currently, at the cutting edge of cyborg technology, HAL, could potentially create the watermark that could lead to further studies and applications of robotic suits to help us in our day to day activities. And in those special circumstances help rescue and support services in saving lives and in helping those in need. I hope that we’ll see more HAL like suits in the near future as it could only lead to better things.

YouTube – [Link]
Cyberdyne – [Link]


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COMMENT

18 comments to "Say Hello To HAL"

  1. SenorMysterioso
    July 5th, 2008 at 7:56 pm

    Seeing the trials of the early versions near the end is kind of funny.

    Couldnt think of a better name than HAL? Thats just asking for trouble

  2. punching_judy
    July 5th, 2008 at 8:00 pm

    God, they've come a long way. Things like this force me to double check the year on the calendar.

  3. sigh
    July 5th, 2008 at 8:34 pm

    Cyberdyne?
    Are you sure this isn't some new viral for the upcoming season of the Sarah Connor Chronicles?
    LOL.

  4. Ali S.
    July 5th, 2008 at 8:45 pm

    @ sigh

    I admit the name Cyberdyne does sound suspicious but I've checked and it's the real deal. Scary coincidence for sure.

  5. Jsahko
    July 5th, 2008 at 9:11 pm

    So freakin' cool.

  6. ted
    July 5th, 2008 at 10:14 pm

    If it's legit, why would they have to pick such hokey names?
    Is there no originality left in the world?

  7. Johnny Cat
    July 5th, 2008 at 11:33 pm

    They picked names like Cyberdine and HAL for purely marketing reasons. It's obvious.

  8. Dray
    July 6th, 2008 at 12:04 am

    That suit is as evil robotic as they come.

  9. Liz
    July 6th, 2008 at 12:23 am

    And Iron Man becomes reality.

    Well, they just need to make the suit bulletproof. And give it the ability to fly.

  10. Johnny Cat
    July 6th, 2008 at 12:49 am

    I'm surprised the genius doctor isn't named Gaius Baltar.

  11. Lasse
    July 6th, 2008 at 3:04 am

    Thank god we have Überboy.

  12. Evil Pundit
    July 6th, 2008 at 6:13 am

    Just wait till someone tries to use it to open a pod bay door ....

  13. Dave
    July 6th, 2008 at 10:57 am

    Love the sponsorship credits about halfway through: "This program brought to you by Asahi Beer and Mazda."

    Quite a team!

  14. Thomas
    July 6th, 2008 at 12:43 pm

    I for one welcome our new cyborg overlords.

  15. CheeseDuck
    July 6th, 2008 at 12:44 pm

    Japanese super soldiers taking over the world?

  16. AM
    July 6th, 2008 at 6:25 pm

    This man is an obsesive genious.

  17. Christophe
    July 6th, 2008 at 11:54 pm

    We could use it in my company. But lifting bricks and cement bags means it should be extra resistant to shocks and dust. Not yet there...

  18. Victor Fricke
    July 7th, 2008 at 4:56 pm

    According to Robert Heinlein, the device is called a "waldo". See the book "Waldo & Magic, Inc.". According to NASA it should be called "Dextre" for the SPDM supplied by Canada for the International Space Station.


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