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Exoskeletons in IEEE Spectrum

Posted by Zonk on from the robots-are-cool dept.

Rob the Bold writes "October IEEE Spectrum magazine (print and online) reports on worldwide developments in exoskeleton technology. Applications include mobility for the disabled, increased lifting power for cargo loaders and nurses, and faster running capability. Developments in the US, Europe and Asia are reviewed." From the article: "Today, in Japan and the United States, engineers are finally putting some practical exoskeletons through their paces outside of laboratories. But don't look for these remarkable new systems to bust bricks or spew lightning. The very first commercially available exoskeleton, scheduled to hit the market in Japan next month, is designed to help elderly and disabled people walk, climb stairs, and carry things around. Built by Cyberdyne Inc., in Tsukuba, Japan, this exoskeleton, called HAL-5, will cost about 1.5 million yen (around US $13 800)."

5 of 124 comments (clear)

  1. Sigh. by picz+plz · · Score: 1, Insightful

    Another technology that will increase the cost of medical care, which will increase the demand for socialized care, that will increase the taxes I and everyone else has to pay.

    1. Re:Sigh. by CyricZ · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Will it really increase the cost, however? I mean, it costs far more for a nurse to care for an elderly patient. If the patients can care for themselves, then that reduces the number of nurses required. I would be inclined to say that a nurse costs far more than $14000, and you have to keep paying each nurse's salary each year! Devices like these may works for many years, perhaps even with minimal upkeep costs. Thus your taxes may very well decrease because of technology such as this.

      --
      Cyric Zndovzny at your service.
    2. Re:Sigh. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful

      He's likely the kind of person who would bitch and moan the most about wanting affordable health care, paid for by the government of course, when he's an old feeble geezer.

  2. Two sci-fi references from one company? by MxTxL · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Wow, how did that slip through marketing?
    Cyberdyne Systems
    HAL

  3. Possibly not vapor[hard]ware by Douglas+Simmons · · Score: 4, Insightful
    designed to help elderly and disabled people walk, climb stairs, and carry things around.

    My 91 year old grandmother's being issued a walker was a blow to her pride and quality of life. She's in a home where they keep an eye on you, help you pee and take meds. They try to make sure she uses her walker, but there are times when she is alone in her room at night, probably loaded on bourbon, and she tries to make it to the bathroom without her walker. She's fallen multiple times doing this, the last time breaking her pelvis.

    Now if these Japanese could make a device to protect the health of loved ones, especially the uncooperative flavor, that they are more inclined to use because it isn't as big a pain in the ass as her walker and the like, you'd see them export even more goods.

    The last Japanese themed article I read on slashdot was about some stupid heat efficient automatic door thing, and like a lot of people, it struck me as vapor that ain't gonna happen. Here this may not be the case because there is potentially strong demand from people like me to pull this through enough R&D to get in finally into the market. I'm not the only one with a 91 year old grandma with a strong appreciation of whiskey. Go Japan.