A robot suit designed to help older people and those with disabilities to walk or lift heavy objects is expected on the market by the end of the year. Dubbed HAL, or hybrid assistive limb, the latest versions of the suit will be unveiled in June at the 2005 World Expo in Aichi, Japan, New Scientist said Thursday. HAL is the result of 10 years’ work by Yoshiyuki Sankai of the University of Tsukuba in Japan, and integrates mechanics, electronics, bionics and robotics in a new field known as cybernics. The most fully developed prototype, HAL 3, is a motor-driven metal “exoskeleton” that straps on the legs to power-assist leg movements. Sankai says he has had many requests for the devices from people with brain and spinal injuries, leading him to plan to include a medical rehabilitation in the programming. The first commercial suits likely will cost between $14,000 and $19,000. © Copyright 2005 by United Press International

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