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Japan Displays Prototype Robot Suit

Posted by samzenpus on from the robotech-lite dept.

anaesthetica writes "A project at Tsukuba University has produced a battery-powered robot suit designed to aid the wearer in strength-related tasks, like lifting heavy objects. The suit also has the capability of propelling itself, which is potentially useful for helping the handicapped or elderly walk. The optimistic professor who lead the project stated, 'Humans may be able to mutate into supermen in the near future.'"

1 of 239 comments (clear)

  1. Fogeys in Robot suits by sssmashy · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Japan has seen a growing market for technology geared toward the elderly, who are making up an increasing chunk of the population as fewer younger Japanese choose to start families.

    A government report last week showed that pensioners made up a record 19.5 percent of the country's population in 2004 and that the ratio will grow rapidly, surpassing 35 percent in 2050.

    Did anyone else shudder at the image of senior citizens ambling down the street in robot suits? Just imagine the damage potential.