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Japanese Deploying Powered Exoskeletons for Elderly

Posted by michael on from the tall-buildings-in-a-single-bound dept.

FoeNyx writes "The AFP is reporting that 30 Tokyo firms have planned to set up a joint-venture in next spring to market an 'exo-skeleton type power assist system' named HAL (Hybrid Assistive Leg) developed by Yoshiyuki Sankai, professor and engineer at the Sankai Lab, a Cybernetics specialized Laboratory of the Tsukuba University. When will the next generation be available?" The elderly with their exoskeletons and the bionic nurses will make quite a sight at Japanese nursing homes.

18 of 352 comments (clear)

  1. Good News / Bad News by JamesSharman · · Score: 5, Funny

    The good news is this will give far more mobility to the elderly.

    The bad news is that the computer runs Linux** and as such the elderly will need to pay SCO $699* every time they go for a walk

    *Introductory price only, increases after October 15th, 2003
    **This is a joke, it probably doesn't

    1. Re:Good News / Bad News by cerberusss · · Score: 5, Funny
      the computer runs Linux
      It'll be quite a sight when someone hacks it and takes command. Imagine a 80-year-old Japanese lady running at 80 mph through Tokio, all the while randomly kicking through people.
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      8 of 13 people found this answer helpful. Did you?
    2. Re:Good News / Bad News by tiled_rainbows · · Score: 4, Funny

      No, thae bad news is that it doesn't have any weapons and can't turn into a fighter plane.

      --

      evil math within Nature's Cubic Creation!
    3. Re:Good News / Bad News by brakk · · Score: 5, Funny

      Or they can't combine several of them to create a bigger more powerful robot.

      Nobody would dare mess with a nursing home after that.

    4. Re:Good News / Bad News by ackthpt · · Score: 4, Funny
      The good news is this will give far more mobility to the elderly.

      The bad news is this isn't what I was led to expect from Gundam, RoboTech, etc. I expected bright-eyed nubile women, not crotchety old geezers.

      Of course, it does give me something to look forward to in my old age :-]

      --

      A feeling of having made the same mistake before: Deja Foobar
    5. Re:Good News / Bad News by smatt-man · · Score: 5, Funny

      The $699 man, we can recompile him, we have the technology.

      --

      ---
      Lousy rotten karmic retribution.
    6. Re:Good News / Bad News by ozbird · · Score: 5, Funny

      It'll be quite a sight when someone hacks it and takes command.

      "It's the wrong trousers Gromit, and they've gone wrong!" (The villain, Feathers McGraw, looks rather like an evil version of Tux...)

    7. Re:Good News / Bad News by Mr.+Bad+Example · · Score: 4, Funny

      Imagine a 80-year-old Japanese lady running at 80 mph through Tokio, all the while randomly kicking through people.

      That'd be pretty cool. What worries me, though, is what'll happen when the inevitable naughty tentacles show up.

  2. Already Done here by Gothmolly · · Score: 5, Funny

    As seen here, Dr. Stephen Hawking, one of the smartest people in the world, has already perfected an exoskeleton for the disabled.

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    I want to delete my account but Slashdot doesn't allow it.
  3. There is no way in hell... by ihummel · · Score: 4, Funny

    that I would buy any computerized/electronic product named HAL. Especially if it were going to go on my body.

    1. Re:There is no way in hell... by fishybell · · Score: 4, Funny

      Dave: I think I'll go to the park. HAL: I'm sorry. I can't let you do that.

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      ><));>
  4. Ob (someone's got to say it) by llamalicious · · Score: 4, Funny

    Domo arigato, Mr. Roboto.

    *ducks*

    Wild though, they envision pull-on exoskeletons in the future... but even if they could reduce the bulk another 50% it'd still be amazing.

    I've always wondered how fast/accurately they skeletons react to human initiated/controlled motion, say, I decide to start lifting my left leg. Well, if I'm walking, I don't want to lift it all the way, simply enough to move it forward a small amount to prepare for the same with the right leg. Do these skeletons sense resistance to movement and stop/switch directions? (I put a little force downward to let the exo-leg know I'm not doing the can-can?) /needs coffee.

    1. Re:Ob (someone's got to say it) by paroneayea · · Score: 4, Funny

      Perhaps soon enough we will be able to do away with the elderly, and replace them with these robotic suits!

      --
      http://mediagoblin.org/
  5. I , for one, by Richthofen80 · · Score: 4, Funny

    welcome our robotically assisted elderly masters!

    --
    Reason, free market capitalism, and individualism
  6. What I want to know is by TerryAtWork · · Score: 4, Funny

    When will one of them put on spandex and fight crime with one?

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    It's Christmas everyday with BitTorrent.
  7. This can only lead to trouble... by Colin+Walsh · · Score: 5, Funny

    The Japanese should know better than to give the elderly access to powered exoskeletons.

    -Colin

  8. Oblig. Simpsons Ref. by handy_vandal · · Score: 4, Funny


    "One thing is certain: the exoskeletons will soon be here. And I for one welcome our new geriatric overlords ...."

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    -kgj
  9. The Wrong Trousers? by koniosis · · Score: 5, Funny

    Anyone reminded of the wrong trousers?

    Wallace And Gromit

    Imagine one of those exoskeletons going on a mad rampage with a pensioner

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    I spent ages trying to think of sig, but never did :(