Robotic Exoskeletons Help Disabled Walk

Wearable robots may sound like a futuristic fantasy, but Yoshiyuki Sankai is hoping they’ll fit into everyday life. In 2005, Sankai revealed several working prototypes of a mechanical, mind-controlled “exoskeleton” that could help the disabled walk.

The mind-controlled Hybrid Assistive Limbs (HAL) pick up on brain signals telling nerves to move. Sensors relay this information to the central computer, and within 125/1000ths of a second, the robot outfit moves. HAL adapts to your nerve signals over time, allowing for easier movement. The suit multiplies a human’s force by two to 10 ten times.

Sankai’s company, Cyberdyne, currently offers the suits to disabled customers in Japan. A similar company in the U.S. is working to design an exoskeleton for army officers. Raytheon’s XOS suit is designed to provide extra strength and endurance. The XOS suit requires a tethered cord to work, while Sankai’s project runs off a battery.

AUTHOR: Annette Hulbert