Spinner
24 Aug 2003, 2:59pm
Japanese companies are getting ready for the launch of a 'robot suit' aimed at helping aged or physically disabled people walk, climb stairs or even seat themselves without the need for a chair.
"This is neither a robot in machine factories nor a one for amusement like a pet robot. This is a brand-new proposal projecting a future image of relations between people and robots,"
The suit, code-named HAL-3 (Hybrid Assistive Leg), is made up of a computer and batteries as well as four actuators attached around the knee area and hip joints. The device is said to be able to predict the movement of a users legs by detecting faint electrical signals from surrounding muscles.
With the equipment, the user can walk at a speed of four kilometres (2.5 miles) per hour with little physical exertion and avoid the jerky stop-go moves of ordinary robots.
The need for Japan to take measures to deal with its ageing society is increasingly urgent. The proportion of people aged 65 or older in Japan came to a record high of 18.82 percent, according to the latest government report on population released on Wednesday.
"We have also started developing a version for arms," Sankai said. "Eventually, we aim to make a suit that is thin enough to be worn like underwear and will allow users to run and move their arms freely."
A curious invention to say the least, why do I get the feeling though it will just become a toy for the rich and lazy.
http://www.spinnershomepage.co.uk/raidpics/image3.jpg
The full story:
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/afp/20030821/tc_afp/japan_robot_technology_030821084042
"This is neither a robot in machine factories nor a one for amusement like a pet robot. This is a brand-new proposal projecting a future image of relations between people and robots,"
The suit, code-named HAL-3 (Hybrid Assistive Leg), is made up of a computer and batteries as well as four actuators attached around the knee area and hip joints. The device is said to be able to predict the movement of a users legs by detecting faint electrical signals from surrounding muscles.
With the equipment, the user can walk at a speed of four kilometres (2.5 miles) per hour with little physical exertion and avoid the jerky stop-go moves of ordinary robots.
The need for Japan to take measures to deal with its ageing society is increasingly urgent. The proportion of people aged 65 or older in Japan came to a record high of 18.82 percent, according to the latest government report on population released on Wednesday.
"We have also started developing a version for arms," Sankai said. "Eventually, we aim to make a suit that is thin enough to be worn like underwear and will allow users to run and move their arms freely."
A curious invention to say the least, why do I get the feeling though it will just become a toy for the rich and lazy.
http://www.spinnershomepage.co.uk/raidpics/image3.jpg
The full story:
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/afp/20030821/tc_afp/japan_robot_technology_030821084042