Cyberdyne
Company Location: Ibaraki, Japan
Exoskeleton Name: HAL Exoskeleton
Significance of Name: HAL stands for "hybrid assistive limb". Both the company name "Cyberdyne" and the exoskeleton name "HAL" are shared with fictional computers. Cyberdyne was a company in the terminator series which made skynet. HAL was the onboard computer of the Discovery One space ship in 2001: A Space Odyssey.
Scientific Driving Force: Prof. Sankai
Business Driving Force: Probably Prof. Sankai
Control of Exoskeleton: "HAL" exoskeleton uses sensors attached on the skin of the wearer to read electrical impulses from the nerves. Based on the signals obtained, the power unit is controlled to move the joint unitedly with the wearer's muscle movement. If there are no signals "HAL" has also a 'robotic autonomous control system' that provides human-like movement to the exoskeleton.
Weight of Exoskeleton: Full Body Type approx. 23kg (50lbs)
Lower body approx. 15kg (33lbs)
Maximum Speed:
Battery Life: The latest battery runs for 5 hours under normal activities
Motions: Standing up from a chair, walking, climbing up and down stairs.
Crutches: Required for HAL exoskeleton
Who Can Use: Currently HAL exoskeleton is used by people with weakened muscles and by some people with disabilities due to stroke and/or spinal cord injury.
Launch: Currently HAL exoskeleton is sold only for rental use in Japan. However, Cyberdyne has set up a branch office in Denmark and clinical trials are underway. Cyberdyne expects to launch HAL exskeleton in Europe in the near future.
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