Slashdot Mirror
Exoskeletons For Rent In Japan
destinyland writes "Cyberdyne has started renting their exoskeleton body suits in Japan. The mind-controlled wearable machine increases strength and endurance, and rents for $2,300 a month. (Sensors on the skin detect traces of nerve signals from the brain, synchronizing the power suit's movements with the user's own limbs.) New video shows the suits in use on the streets of Tokyo, and the concept may be catching on. DARPA now has a program called Exoskeletons for Human Performance Augmentation 'to develop devices and machines that will increase the speed, strength and endurance of soldiers in combat environments.'"
Why all the negativity, slashdot? Most posts here are some Terminator reference or a "detailed" explanation of why the skeletons / suits won't work (yet they do). I have a feeling all of the fearmonger posts are from Americans, because we seem to be perpetually afraid of advances in technology--especially by those evil Japanese or Chinese! I dream of the day when the whole world rejoices at significant technological advances, not just the country that profits the most... I dream of a day when we humans realize we're not going to survive until we cooperate with eachother. My dreams aren't profitable.