10 Apr 2009
Robot Body Suit To Be Marketed In Japan

Avowed atheist though he was, I'm starting to think that Robert A Heinlein was a modern prophet. Anybody else read Starship Troopers?

A Japanese company is preparing limited mass production of a cybernetic bodysuit which dramatically increases user strength up to ten times. The "Hybrid Assistive Limb" suit synchronizes movements of a mechanical exoskeleton to biological nerve signals detected by biopads on the body. (Originally envisioned for people with disabilities, the suit also has industrial applications, and the company is planning annual production of 400 units at $4,200 apiece.) Its battery life is five hours, according to the company's web site, which promises they're also opening a EU branch to begin sales outside of Japan.

(link) [Slashdot]

07:42 /Technology | 1 comment | permanent link