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HAL Exoskeleton Assisted Mountain Climbing

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the just-plain-hawesome dept.

OzPeter writes "The Age is reporting that two experienced mountain climbers will wear Japanese HAL exoskeletons to assist in carrying a quadriplegic and a muscular dystrophy sufferer to the summit of a Swiss mountain. Although they will be starting only 280 meters below the summit, it will still be an impressive feat." Slashdot covered the HAL exoskeleton late last year.

10 of 100 comments (clear)

  1. Great Name Choice by eldavojohn · · Score: 4, Funny

    Let's hope that the HAL suits don't consider the quadriplegic a threat to the mission. Might see the suit eject the body in an effort to achieve success and reach the top.

    --
    My work here is dung.
  2. For safety's sake by amliebsch · · Score: 4, Funny

    I hope they remember to bring a spare AE-35 unit.

    --
    If you don't know where you are going, you will wind up somewhere else.
  3. Extreme conditions by jimmyhat3939 · · Score: 5, Interesting

    This seems like a great test and demonstration of this kind of technology in a relatively extreme environment. I know several people on SlashDot have argued that the machinery wouldn't be able to handle the kinds of conditions you might confront when needing to rescue someone or in a war. This is exactly the kind of demonstration they need to do to push this kind of project forward.

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  4. wtf? by rilister · · Score: 3, Funny

    "Sankai's venture company Cyberdyne"....

    let me get this straight. A robot called "HAL" developed by Cyberdyne?
    For pities sake: stop this evil genius now! Before we have to go back in time and do it!

    --
    'This writing business. Pencils and what-not. Over-rated if you ask me. Silly stuff. Nothing in it' - Eeyore
    1. Re:wtf? by elrous0 · · Score: 3, Funny
      stop this evil genius now! Before we have to go back in time and do it!

      Don't worry, we'll just send Reese back. No one likes him and he'll do anything to get laid. It's the perfect way to finally get rid of him.

      -Eric

      --
      SJW: Someone who has run out of real oppression, and has to fake it.
  5. I'm afraid I can't do that, Dave. by MikeSty · · Score: 3, Funny

    I'm afraid I can't do that, rilister.

  6. Impressive feat? I think not... by XxtraLarGe · · Score: 4, Funny

    Man, those Japanese are way behind. Stephen Hawking already did this back in 1997!

    --
    Taking guns away from the 99% gives the 1% 100% of the power.
  7. Re:Ummm. by EvilGrin5000 · · Score: 3, Informative
    From TFA...
    Uchida - left paralysed from the neck down after a spinal cord injury in a 1983 traffic accident - will make the final ascent to the 4,164-metre peak with the help of alpinist Ken Noguchi, 33.
    He would carry Uchida on his back with the aid of a robot known as HAL, Saigo said.
    Uchida had wanted to go up the Swiss Alps because a photo of the Matterhorn helped buoy his spirits during his convalescence, Saigo said.
    However, when he finally went to Switzerland in 1998 he could get no closer than a lake near the Matterhorn due to his disability.
    Seeing HAL last July, though, gave Uchida the idea about how he might finally realise his dream, Saigo said.
    Sounds like the perfect media boost this technology needs and it's a win-win situation! Uchida gets his dream, and Professor Yoshiyuki Sankai (the developer) gets some media attention to his product. (Assuming the expedition goes well)
    --
    A black cat crossing your path signifies that the animal is going somewhere. -- Groucho Marx
  8. Hurry up! by hentaidan · · Score: 5, Funny

    From the FAQ:

    Q. Can we go to the bathroom or take a bath with HAL ?

    A. We are researching it now.


    For the love of god, please hurry up!

  9. "Overhyped Wench"?!? by Locke2005 · · Score: 4, Funny

    No, Pamela Anderson is an overhyped wench... this would be an overhyped winch!

    --
    I've abandoned my search for truth; now I'm just looking for some useful delusions.