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Robotic Suit Aims to Aid Mobility in the Elderly
NursingTimes
August 5, 2009
Japan
The HAL reads brain signals to direct limb movement through the skin
Elderly people suffering from mobility problems could soon be given extra
help following the unveiling of a robotic suit.
The HAL (hybrid assistive limb), made by Japanese robotics company
Cyberdyne, is equipped with sensors that read brain signals directing limb
movement through the skin.
The device, which
is belted to the waist, communicates signals to mechanical leg braces
strapped to the thighs and knees, which then provide robotic assistance to
people with weak limbs.
Available in three sizes, small, medium and large, and in a one-leg
version, HAL could have far-reaching benefits for the disabled and
elderly.
A spokesman for the company said: ‘HAL is to help people with weak leg
muscles and mobility problems. We wanted to show HAL is very useful for
our daily life.’
Japan
is currently looking for ways to cope with its rapidly ageing society,
where about a fifth of the population of 128 million is 65 or older.
Cyberdyne said the suit had also attracted interest in Europe and the
US
.
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