Cyberdyne is a Japanese robotics and technology company most noted for the marketing and distribution of the HAL 5 robotic exoskeleton suit.[1]
Cyberdyne was founded on June 24, 2004, by Yoshiyuki Sankai, a professor at the University of Tsukuba.[2] The name, Cyberdyne, comes from the fictional company that manufactured Skynet in the Terminator film series. In early 2009, Cyberdyne attracted international media attention with the announcement that it will be marketing and distributing the HAL 5 hybrid-assist exoskeleton[3] which they claim augments body movement and increases user strength by up to ten times.[4]
The hybrid assistive limb (also known as HAL) is a powered exoskeleton suit currently in development by Tsukuba University
in Japan. It has been designed to expand and improve physical
capability of users, particularly people with physical disabilities.
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 the arms, legs, and torso. HAL 5 is currently
capable of allowing the operator to lift and carry about five times as
much weight as he or she could lift and carry unaided.
In 2011, Cyberdyne
and Tsukuba University announced that hospital trials of the full HAL
suit would begin in 2012, with tests to continue until 2014 or 2015.[1]
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. HAL is mainly used by disabled patients in hospitals, and
can be modified so that patients can use it for rehabilitation.
No comments:
Post a Comment