"HAL," the "Human Assisted Limb," Helps the Infirm Walk Via a Starship Trooper-Like Powered Exoskeleton

As the video below shows, this technology is sort of old -- they had a working model at least as far back as 2009.

But the manufacturer just did a press conference about the technology, which is being used across the world now, so it's news again.

One chilling detail: The company that makes the Powered Exoskeleton is called "Cyberdyne." I've seen this movie, and I don't like the way it ends.

Also, I've seen Terminator: Salvation, and I don't like the way that one begins, ends, or middles.

Cyberdyne and Tsukuba University began hospital trials of the HAL suit in 2012 in Japan.

By October 2012 HAL suits were being used by 130 different medical institutions across the country.

In February this year, the HAL system became the first powered exoskeleton to receive global safety certification and it has now received a EC Certificate of Conformity in Germany.

This means it has passed the German safety standards of the TUV Rhineland agency and is allowed to be sold in the country.

Here's an old report on the tech. It's very cool.

@daveintexas notes that an American company is likewise in the Powered Armor game.

posted by Ace at 03:28 PM

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