Exoskeleton. Suit HAL

Robot Suit HAL (Hybrid Assistive Limb®) is a cyborg-type robot that can supplement, expand or improve physical capability. This exoskeleton, or external skeleton, not only protects its wearer but gives him or her tenfold strength.Developed by ccientists at the University of Tsukuba and Cyberdyne Inc. in the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization‘s (NEDO) unmanned anti-disaster system research and development project. NEDO, Japan’s largest public R&D management organization, introduced its latest disaster. Receives its global safety certificate (ISO / DIS 13482) in Japan on February 25, 2013.

When a person attempts to move, nerve signals are sent from the brain to the muscles via motoneurons, moving the musculoskeletal system as a consequence. At this moment, very weak biosignals can be detected on the surface of the skin. “HAL” catches these signals through a sensor attached on the skin of the wearer. Based on the signals obtained, the power unit is controlled to move the joint in unison with the wearer’s muscle movement, enabling HAL to support the wearer’s daily activities.

This is what we call a ‘voluntary control system’ that provides movement interpreting the wearer’s intention from the biosignals in advance of the actual movement. Not only a ‘voluntary control system’ “HAL” has, but also a ‘robotic autonomous control system’ that provides human-like movement based on a robotic system which integrally work together with the ‘autonomous control system’. “HAL” is the world’s first cyborg-type robot controlled by this unique Hybrid System.

To February 2013, Cyberdyne, has so far leased some 330 suits to 150 hospitals, welfare and other facilities in Japan since 2010, at 178,000 yen ($1,950) per suit per year.

“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.