Robot Reviews

Japan's Cyberdyne Inc. (yes, we know, probably the result of watching too many Terminator movies) is now in the process of exporting its highly touted HAL-5s. These full-body exoskeletons are designed to assist people with mobility problems to lift heavy objects and perform actions that would otherwise be impossible without them. 

A brainchild of Prof. Sankai of the University of Tsukaba, HAL-5 is primarily aimed to assist elderly and disabled people, a striking contrast to its company's sinister namesake of Terminator lore.  

Although quite heavy at 23 kg, you won't be able to feel its weight once you wear the HAL-5 since it is capable of supporting itself. Its motions are initiated by weak biosignals that are sent to the skin from the brain when the wearer starts to move.  In most cases, the exoskeleton is able to predict the desired action and thus exerts the needed force before the wearer's muscles do.

These signals are then received by a sensor attached to the skin of the wearer and sent to the HAL-5s control unit which prompts all affected parts to move in-sync with the wearer's body. It's pretty much like the way Hollywood movie cyborgs are supported and empowered by exoskeletons integrated into their bodies. 

A fully-charged unit can support continuous movements for 2 hours and 40 minutes. That duration may be quite limited as of now. But considering that the target users are those who can be considered practically immobile, 2 hours is already quite a milestone.