HAL 5

A person wearing a prototype version of the suit (left) with Steve Jurvetson

HAL, or Hybrid Assistive Limb is an electrically powered exoskeleton suit currently in development by Tsukuba University of Japan, and still slated for production in the near future as of April 2006, pending field testing. ''[Paralysed man to scale Alpine peak with aid of robotic legs]", Julian Ryall, The Scotsman, 4 April, 2006. Retrieved 30 June, 2006 There are currently two prototypes, HAL 3 which has bulkier servo-motors, and only has the leg function, and HAL 5, which is a full-body exoskeleton for both arms, legs, and torso. HAL 5 is currently capable of allowing the operator to lift and carry nearly twice as much weight as they could lift and carry unaided. It operates by sensing weak electrical impulses from muscles via electrodes on operator's skin and sending them to the onboard computer which in turn analyzes them and activates corresponding servos of the suit, mimicking wearer's motions. The whole suit is powered by a 100 Volt battery attached to the operator's waist.

Uses

According to its homepage, HAL is being designed to assist the disabled and elderly in their daily tasks, or any physically demanding job such as disaster rescue or construction. It is intended to be distributed through leasing for introductory price of 1,500,000 Japanese Yen with additional yearly charges for maintenance.

References

External links

[Japanese homepage (in english)]

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