"IRON MAN" ROBOT SUIT Cyberdyne: HAL in 2009 (PHOTOS) (VIDEO)

Ever dream of being Iron Man? Well, that dream might not be as far fetched as you might think. Cyberdyne, a Japanese company founded Professor Sankai, creator of the "Robot Suit", has developed a real life Iron Man exoskeleton called HAL. While this name might take remind you of a certain evil robot from 2001: A Space Odessey, HAL actually stands for Hybrid Assistive Limb Suit.

The Post Chronicle reports on the development of Cyberdyne's robot:

The 'Iron-Man' robot suit from Cyberdyne. The idea of melding human flesh and bone with robotic parts is something more than a few people have looked into...Cyberdyne is a Japanese robotics company, and HAL is Hybrid Assistive Limb, designed to help people with weak muscles or disabilities.

The purpose of HAL? Cyberdyne explains specifically whoHAL is for:

"HAL" is expected to be applied in various fields such as rehabilitation support and physical training support in medical field, ADL support for disabled people, heavy labour support at factories, and rescue support at disaster sites, as well as in the entertainment field.

The Scientific American expands on the abilities of the "Real-Life Iron Man":

CYBERDYNE...designed the HAL exoskeleton primarily to enhance the wearer's existing physical capabilities 10-fold. The exoskeleton detects--via a sensor attached to the wearer's skin--brain signals sent to muscles to get them moving. The exoskeleton's computer analyzes these signals to determine how it must move (and with how much force) to assist the wearer. The company claims on its Web site that the device can also operate autonomously (based on data stored in its computer), which is key when used by people suffering spinal cord injuries or physical disabilities resulting from strokes or other disorders.

Interested in having your own HAL? The Post Chronicle reports that the HAL is going into production and will be available soon in Japan for around $4,200 while the Scientific American claims that the HAL exoskeleton is already available but only for rent in Japan for around $1,300 a month. THe Cyberdyne cite states that HAL is in fact currently available for Japanese residents, for varying costs depending on region, and that HAL will soon be available to consumers in the European Union.

Breakdown of how the HAL suit helps:

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Comments

[eschiesser]

This is quite amazing! And a little freaky. But I'm pretty sure the US military has had an exoskeleton in develpment for some time as well, am I wrong? I remember seeing it on TV.

[kurtlockwood]

Cyberdine? Hal? I guess Maximillian from The Black Hole is in production? How about Cylons?

[GOBLOX]

I wonder if this guys knows that: Cyberdine Systems created The Terminator (in the movie) & that HAL killed off most the crew of 2001: A Space Odyssey. ..talk about western influence... lmao!

[GlenRast]

Didn't see this before I posted the same above.

"Hasta la vista, baby"

[GregJL]

Don't forget that the writer apparently does not know the difference between a computer and a robot. But hey, it's not like he's a real journalist (is there such an animal anymore?)

[jesselee26]

i just watched this twice with my three year old. she's fascinated, and i have to say... though i always made fun of sci-fi, i am too.

[Chatvert]

This is brilliantly geeky on many levels. I love technology.

[MPAndonee]

Yeap, your Sci-Fi future is coming to PASS....

And for those of you making fun of me for reading Science Fiction all these years -- you're idiots!

I've known what's going to happen, and I am prepared. Are you?

[Ryoki]

I'm afraid Dave. I'm...a...fraid.

[JWheels]

Wow.

Now the first version looks a little ungainly, it'll probably become sleeker, but that could seriously help a lot of people, myself included.

[Beaux510]

Since I'm a Fallout3 addict, I instantly saw that my beloved Power Armor will be available in the real world here in a few years.

Cheers Cyberdyne, please change your name, it creeps me out.

[MetalCanuck]

YEah I am a fallout 3 junkie too, I have all the expansions and will get the rest of them. The name brings the terminator to mind too.

[mbsq]

oh man, did you see that show "Mantis" ... we all know what's gonna happen!

[SiriusMrE]

Now, THAT is cool! They are kind of like the power loaders that Ripley used to fight the queen alien in the Aliens movie. Loading dock work is one of the obvious uses for something like this.

And, yes, Cyberdyne Systems was the name of the company in The Terminator that created the killer machines. It is a little creepy. As long as these things do not become self-aware...

[jsgaetano]

Something called HAL by a company called Cyberdyne sounds... ominous.

Anyway, I'll get the suit only if it comes with a rocket hand.

[walkonsatisfied]

Okay. That's creepy. Isn't Cyberdyne the name of the company that researches the limb left behind from the first Terminator movie?

[Beaux510]

Yeah. Interesting, they would mention the "HAL" tie in but omit the exponentially creepier naming of the company CYBERDYNE.

[King Cashaw]

The gentleman who stars as Anthony Denoso, on NCIS, also starred in the Jessica Alba tv show, Dark Angle, wore one of these so he would walk on that show.

[ellawensmom]

I hope that this will be a great thing for people who need the help. Very interesting.

[GOBLOX]

It will, more than likely be used for military applications, first, IMO.

[Tamsen]

Fascinating stuff. I like to go to The Robot Report therobotreport.comm) for a peak at what our future will be like.