Robotic Suit For Rent In Japan

xTantrum writes with an AP story that begins "A robotic suit that reads brain signals and helps people with mobility problems will be available to rent in Japan for $2,200 a month starting Friday — an invention that may have far-reaching benefits for the disabled and elderly."

Comments

Obligatory...

[ScytheLegion]

I, for one, welcome our new $2,200/month Robotic Suit Overlords.

Re:Obligatory...

[itlurksbeneath]

Given that the name of the company that's making the suits is Cyberdyne, I think that's the single most appropriate use of the "overlords" meme I've ever seen.

Re:Obligatory...

[cayenne8]

"Be welcome O Robotic Suit Overlords !!!!!"

That is Mr. Roboto to you sir!

fp bitches!

[shaitand]

'an invention that may have far-reaching benefits for the disabled and elderly'

Not for $2200/month it won't.

Re:fp bitches!

[clarkkent09]

in the civilized parts of the world where the government takes care of their elderly

Government doesn't take care of the elderly, taxpayers do. If you are going to take my money and pass it on to the elderly then at least give credit where it's due.

Re:fp bitches!

[Splab]

Well Denmark is spending more than that per month.

Having such a suit means the elderly can get up and down stairs by themselves, go shopping on their own - that means freeing up workers and giving companies more people to hire, while we are currently feeling a bit of pain due to the financial crisis we still have more job offerings than people to hire.

Bzzt. Movie reference overload

[Kjella]

Cyberdyne, a new company in Tsukuba outside Tokyo, will mass-produce HAL.

Cyberdyne? Will produce HAL? Outlook not so good.

Re:What about ./ers

[Kjella]

What about ./ers and _their_ "mobility problems"?

Just a myth. We just don't want to leave the basement.

It's only a matter of time...

[dexmachina]

"Why's this damn thing taking me to the ledge. Stop! Hey! Stop it!" "I'm sorry Dave, I'm afraid I can't do that..."

Lies

[Onaga]

It isn't really reading brain signals. From the own company's website, they say the system detects signals on the surface of the skin (of what is intended to be moved). That is why they demonstrate it with partially paralyzed people. If the spinal column cannot relay any signal at all to the legs, then the system cannot work.

Startup commands.

[GrpA]

I hear that the first beta testers are annoyed that to bootstrap the suit, they have to stand in a spread-eagle configuration and yell out "Power Extreme!"

GrpA

obligatory! (sorry, I could not help it)

[apodyopsis]

"Stop them Gromit! They're the wrong trousers and they've gone all wrong!"

My favorite mechanical trouser mayhem.

From one of my favorite short films ever!

Though I have no idea how well known it is out of the UK.

Now if only I could find my copy of 'Electronics for Dogs'.

It's in the tags, but not the comments

[initialE]

Roujin Z
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roujin_Z

Fear.

Elderly 209

[Zaphod-AVA]

[ED 209] You have twenty seconds to get off my lawn. [/ED 209]

DEAR GOD NO

[loafula]

Anyone who has ever seen the elderly try to drive a car already knows this is a HORRIBLE idea.

Re:Amen to that -- remember what cell phones cost.

[Shotgun]

The problem is that they will be running up against the Laws of Physics. You can make it smaller and lighter all you want, as long as you don't run up against those most enforced of laws.

Phones and video games just have to produce voltages large enough to represent 1s and possibly 0s. Maybe produce some light. You can get away with using less power if you can make the electronics smaller. A nice feedback loop.

This robotic system has to actually lift and move things. Things that are not getting smaller. It takes a given amount of power to lift a 170lb person. You can't make the power requirement smaller. To be mobile, something to generate that power has to be carried along. There are several ways of possibly accomplishing this task, but don't count on any major revolutions.