Engadget

RB3D develops Hercule robotic exoskeleton, boosts strength without P90X

Billy Steele — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 19:14:00 EST

Sure, some folks could use a little extra help maneuvering in order to complete daily chores. But what about help with all of that heavy lifting? The folks at RB3D in France have been working with the French Directorate General of Armaments (DGA), ESME Sudria and CES LIST to develop a robotic exoskeleton that will aid in doing just that. Hercule, the aforementioned cobot-esque (collaborative robot) prototype, doesn't require any special training or skills to use. A person needing extra strength to carry that crate of supplies just wears the device and goes about his or her business with the added support of the exosuit. This particular model is powered electrically and will last about 20km (about 12.5 miles) if movement is kept at a regular walking pace. Weight limits, you ask? The Hercule boasts a carrying capacity of 100kg (220lbs) -- more than HAL tech we've seen in aiding travelers in the past. Military and civil customers could get their hands on these as early as 2014, but for now, jump past the break for a look at one in action.

Continue reading RB3D develops Hercule robotic exoskeleton, boosts strength without P90X

RB3D develops Hercule robotic exoskeleton, boosts strength without P90X originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 21 Feb 2012 19:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Ekso Bionics' exoskeleton used to let paraplegics walk (video)

Daniel Cooper — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 13:31:00 EST

It's not just nuclear-powered super soldiers who will use exoskeletons -- it can also be used to help those with physical disabilities. The Kessler Foundation grabbed one of Ekso Bionics' Ekso units and gave six people with severe spinal injuries, including a tetraplegic, the chance to walk. It's part of a trial study to examine the effects of walking for wheelchair-users, to see if it's better for their overall health or if it could contribute to their rehabilitation. A wider study will begin early next year with the hope of expanding use of the gear to domestic situations in the future. After the break we've got video of the people walking for the first time since their injuries and it's hard not to find yourself feeling a little emotional at the sight of it.

Continue reading Ekso Bionics' exoskeleton used to let paraplegics walk (video)

Ekso Bionics' exoskeleton used to let paraplegics walk (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 19 Dec 2011 13:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Cyberdyne turns its HAL exoskeleton into an anti-radiation suit

Sharif Sakr — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 16:56:00 EST

The original Hybrid Assistive Limb (HAL) suit was designed to help those with muscle diseases, but it's now been upgraded to cope with a very different type of problem: handling radioactive substances. One of the few wearable materials that can stop radiation is tungsten, which is extremely heavy: a typical tungsten vest weigh up to 132 pounds. When worn in conjunction with a HAL exoskeleton, however, a vest can be worn for lengthy periods without causing fatigue -- potentially allowing greater access to hazardous sites like Fukushima.

Cyberdyne turns its HAL exoskeleton into an anti-radiation suit originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 07 Nov 2011 16:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Paralyzed student uses robotic exoskeleton to walk at college graduation (video)

Amar Toor — Mon, 16 May 2011 08:45:00 EST

Austin Whitney hasn't been able to walk since a 2007 car crash left him paralyzed, but on Saturday the 22-year-old triumphantly strode across the stage to accept his degree from UC Berkeley. He had a little help, in the form of a specially crafted robotic exoskeleton developed by Berkeley engineering professor Homayoon Kazerooni. Kazerooni and his team designed the exoskeleton with lightness and affordability in mind, resisting the urge to load it up with expensive hardware and tethering the mechanized walker to a backpack that houses a computer and a rechargeable, eight-hour battery. As a result, the Austin walker won't enable the kind of acrobatic leaps that would make Lt. Rasczak proud, but its reduced mobility comes at a reduced cost of just $15,000. That's certainly not an impulse buy, though it's a welcomed alternative to other exoskeletons that retail for $100,000 or more. Walk past the break for a video of Whitney's momentous steps, along with a clip of Kazerooni describing his creation.

Continue reading Paralyzed student uses robotic exoskeleton to walk at college graduation (video)

Paralyzed student uses robotic exoskeleton to walk at college graduation (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 16 May 2011 08:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

New Zealand paralympian buys first Rex Bionics exoskeleton, takes robot walking legs for a spin

Brian Heater — Mon, 02 May 2011 11:10:00 EST

Surely we weren't the only ones to wonder aloud who would be the first come up with $150,000 for a Rex Bionics robotic exoskeleton when the Auckland-based company introduced it last summer. Of course, no price seems too high for the ability to walk again, but that's still a lot scratch to get together -- and the space has been getting a lot more competitive as of late. The honor went to fellow Kiwi Dave MacCalman, a multiple medal-winning paralympian, who lost the use of his legs after sustaining a spinal cord injury while diving into a river. The 6-foot, 4-inch athlete took his first steps in over 30 years with the use of his newly-purchased robot legs -- and from the look on his face, he definitely got his New Zealand dollar's worth. If you need a quick refresher on exactly what this thing can do, check out the video after the break.

Continue reading New Zealand paralympian buys first Rex Bionics exoskeleton, takes robot walking legs for a spin

New Zealand paralympian buys first Rex Bionics exoskeleton, takes robot walking legs for a spin originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 02 May 2011 11:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

x-Ar exoskeleton arm keeps repetitive tasks from doing you harm (video)

Sean Hollister — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 12:59:00 EST

The spring-loaded technology behind the Steadicam has just found another use -- the x-Ar exoskeleton arm, which attaches to your wrists to reduce or eliminate the feeling of weight. Just unveiled at the Applied Ergonomics Conference in Florida this week, the mechanism mounts to a chair or other stable object and loosely cuffs your arms, allowing for a fairly extraordinary range of motion while bearing "the weight of your arm and small objects." (Sledgehammer-wielding workers will probably be better served by one of these.) While manufacturer Equipois suggests that the arm will likely see use in factories, assembly lines and the like where workers are subject to repetitive stress, we can also think of a few bloggers who wouldn't mind taking a little strain off their wrists. PR after the break.

Continue reading x-Ar exoskeleton arm keeps repetitive tasks from doing you harm (video)

x-Ar exoskeleton arm keeps repetitive tasks from doing you harm (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 23 Mar 2011 12:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Cyberdyne demos lower-body HAL exoskeleton for helping the disabled, not eradicating mankind (video)

Michael Gorman — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 07:02:00 EST

Cyberdyne's HAL (Hybrid Assistive limb) robotic suit has been kicking (stumbling?) around for years now, and at this year's Cybernics International Forum, the company demoed a couple of new iterations of the technology. We've seen the heavy-duty version of the technology scale a Swiss peak, but the new demo showcased a lighter and leaner lower-body suit (not unlike Lockheed's HULC system) meant for helping those with muscle diseases remain ambulatory. The differences between the new rig and previously seen full-body exoskeleton -- meant for use by health care professionals and factory workers to aid in heavy lifting -- are less robust servos and a slimmer profile allowing wearers to worry less over their looks and more over living their lives. Peep the bipedal bionics in action after the break.

Continue reading Cyberdyne demos lower-body HAL exoskeleton for helping the disabled, not eradicating mankind (video)

Cyberdyne demos lower-body HAL exoskeleton for helping the disabled, not eradicating mankind (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 15 Mar 2011 07:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Skeletonics exoskeleton stars in thrilling demonstration video

Donald Melanson — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 19:34:00 EST

This so-called Skeletonics exoskeleton may not have any motors or hydraulics like most of its powered counterparts, but that doesn't mean it isn't still plenty capable -- as a new, elaborately produced video amply demonstrates. We won't spoil it all for you, but lets just say things pick up when the guitar licks start, and there's definitely someone running for their life before the end. See for yourself after the break.

Continue reading Skeletonics exoskeleton stars in thrilling demonstration video

Skeletonics exoskeleton stars in thrilling demonstration video originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 07 Mar 2011 19:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

LOPES rehab robot gets bodies moving -- no relation to JLo (video)

Christopher Trout — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 06:19:00 EST

That's LOPES (Lower-extremity Powered ExoSkeleton) -- not Lopez -- and while this rehab robot can get otherwise disinclined parties to move their butts, it doesn't resort to monotonous dance beats to do so. Researchers at the Netherlands' University of Twente began work on LOPES in 2001 to assess motor skills and teach stroke victims how to walk again. Ten years later, LOPES -- which looks like Forrest Gump's leg braces on steroids -- now sports eight degrees of freedom and automatically adjusts to fit the specific support needed per patient. LOPES' overlords are working on a more compact and user friendly iteration, and expect a market-ready version to be available by mid-2012. In the meantime, LOPES has been enlisted in a larger EU project called Mindwalker, testing advanced control algorithms "to be used in autonomous exoskeletons." Video of the future real-life RoboCop after the jump.

[Thanks, Mike]

Continue reading LOPES rehab robot gets bodies moving -- no relation to JLo (video)

LOPES rehab robot gets bodies moving -- no relation to JLo (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 24 Feb 2011 06:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Prototype Pleo motion capture exoskeleton up for grabs: $2,400 OBO

Darren Murph — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 12:14:00 EST

Still haven't nailed down the perfect Christmas gift for that special someone in your life? Shame on you. Just kidding. But on the real, if you've got $2,397.99 and a lust for robotics, there's hardly a better buy available right now than this. The concoction you're peering at above isn't apt to go on sale to the general public again anytime soon, as it's a rare prototype motion capture exoskeleton that was used by (the now-defunct) Ugobe in the creation of Pleo. Word has it that this suit was vital to the R&D efforts surrounding the first edition of the outfit's robotic dinosaur, with one Caleb Chung fitting in and hulking about as computers analyzed and recorded movements. So far as we can tell, all of the circuits and wires are still here, meaning that you actually could use this for R&D of your own provided you had the right equipment to read it. Unfortunately, it'll cost a small fortune to ship a 350 pound crate anywhere outside of the continental US, but for those of you currently living overseas... well, here's your excuse to relocate.

[Thanks, Colin]

Prototype Pleo motion capture exoskeleton up for grabs: $2,400 OBO originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 20 Dec 2010 12:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

ReWalk exoskeleton on sale in January, for a price you can't afford

Joseph L. Flatley — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 18:46:00 EST

We've had our eyes on Argo Medical Technologies' ReWalk for a couple years, ever since the exoskeleton walked into view with a gait (and a sound) eerily reminiscent of RoboCop's. The device weighs seven pounds and features two leg braces with motorized joints and motion sensors, a harness, and a backpack for holding the computer that controls the device and a battery that should last a good three-and-a-half hours. In addition to giving paraplegics the ability to walk, this bad boy can be used to treat the health complications of those who cannot walk on their own, including digestive, cardiovascular, and circulatory issues. After clinical trials in the US and Israel, the device is due to go on sale to rehab centers worldwide this January. The cost for one will be in the $100,000 mark.

ReWalk exoskeleton on sale in January, for a price you can't afford originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 06 Dec 2010 18:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Lockheed Martin begins laboratory testing of HULC robotic exoskeleton

Donald Melanson — Thu, 28 Oct 2010 20:03:00 EST

We already knew that it was ready for testing, and Lockheed Martin has now announced that it has finally begun laboratory tests of its HULC robotic exoskeleton. The testing follows a number of improvements made to the exoskeleton that increased its reliability and performance, including some new environmental sealing that provides additional protection from natural elements and battlefield hazards, and some refinements to the HULC's form and fit that promise to let its wearer adapt to it in less time. While complete details on the testing itself is obviously a bit light, Lockheed Martin says that it will "validate the ruggedized system's capabilities and reliability in a variety of simulated battlefield conditions" -- think Laser Tag with robot legs (at least we will). Head past the break for the full press release, and look for the next milestone to happen sometime next year, when it's expected to see some actual use in the field.

Continue reading Lockheed Martin begins laboratory testing of HULC robotic exoskeleton

Lockheed Martin begins laboratory testing of HULC robotic exoskeleton originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 28 Oct 2010 20:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Panasonic's Power Loader Light slims down, stays out of fights with aliens

Donald Melanson — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 12:09:00 EST

Panasonic's full-size Power Loader exoskeleton certainly has its place, but there are times when giant freaking robots arms might be considered overkill. Thankfully, Panasonic (or more specifically, its Activelink subsidiary) has considered such situations, and has now come out with its streamlined Power Loader Light (or PLL). As you can see, this model eschews the robot arms altogether, but it makes use of the same direct force feedback system that's able to predict your leg movements and increase your leg strength by up 40 kilograms. Of course, even the Light version is still a bit out of reach for everyday use -- it will initially cost around $223,000, but Panasonic is offering a grant program to potential developers that would cut the price in half.

Panasonic's Power Loader Light slims down, stays out of fights with aliens originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 25 Oct 2010 12:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Berkeley Bionics reveals eLEGS exoskeleton, aims to help paraplegics walk in 2011 (update: eyes-on and video)

Darren Murph — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 14:44:00 EST

Wondering where you've heard of Berkeley Bionics before? These are the same whiz-kids who produced the HULC exoskeleton in mid-2008, and now they're back with a far more ambitious effort. Announced just moments ago in San Francisco, the eLEGS exoskeleton is a bionic device engineered to help paraplegics stand up and walk on their own. It's hailed as a "wearable, artificially intelligent, bionic device," and it's expected to help out within the hospital, at home and elsewhere in this wild, wild place we call Earth. Initially, the device will be offered to rehabilitation centers for use under medical supervision, and can be adjusted to fit most people between 5'2" and 6'4" (and weighing 220 pounds or less) in a matter of minutes. We're told that the device provides "unprecedented knee flexion," and it's also fairly quiet in operation; under ideal circumstances, speeds of up to 2MPH can be attained, and it employs a gesture-based human-machine interface that relies on legions of sensors to determine a user's intentions and act accordingly. Clinical trials are ~~going on as we speak~~ about to begin, and there's a limited release planned for the second half of 2011. We're still waiting to hear back on a price, so keep it locked for more as we get it live from the event.

Update: We just got to see the eLEGS walk across stage, and you'll find a gallery full of close-up pics immediately below. We also spoke to Berkeley Bionics CEO Eythor Bender, who detailed the system a bit more -- it's presently made of steel and carbon fiber with lithium-ion battery packs, weighs 45 pounds, and has enough juice to run for six hours of continuous walking. While he wouldn't give us an exact price, he said they're shooting for $100,000, and will be "very competitive" with other devices on the market. Following clinical trials, the exoskeleton will be available to select medical centers in July or August, though Bender also said the company's also working on a streamlined commercial version for all-day use, tentatively slated for 2013.

Gallery: Berkeley Bionics' eLEGS exoskeleton, eyes-on

Continue reading Berkeley Bionics reveals eLEGS exoskeleton, aims to help paraplegics walk in 2011 (update: eyes-on and video)

Berkeley Bionics reveals eLEGS exoskeleton, aims to help paraplegics walk in 2011 (update: eyes-on and video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 07 Oct 2010 14:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Kid's Walker fulfills your child's dream of piloting a kickass robot suit (video)

Sean Hollister — Sat, 02 Oct 2010 15:46:00 EST

Four years ago Sakakibara Kikai brought us a $300,000 real-life BattleMech, and the company hasn't sat idle since then -- last December, it put the final touches on a significantly smaller exoskeleton designed specifically for children. The Kid's Walker stands just over five feet tall and weighs four hundred pounds, and though the gasoline-powered creature doesn't exactly walk, its wheeled feet definitely stroll around. The Japanese company told Gizmag the suit isn't presently for sale -- just rentals for now -- but would probably cost about 1.8 million yen (around $21,600) should it come to market. If you ask us, that's a small price to pay; everyone knows it's always the young mecha pilots that end up saving the world. Video after the break.

Continue reading Kid's Walker fulfills your child's dream of piloting a kickass robot suit (video)

Kid's Walker fulfills your child's dream of piloting a kickass robot suit (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 02 Oct 2010 15:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Raytheon's Sarcos XOS 2 military exoskeleton just does the heavy lifting -- for now

Sean Hollister — Tue, 28 Sep 2010 21:26:00 EST

Raytheon's XOS 2 has a right hook that can rip straight through a wall, but Dr. Fraser Smith assures us that death-dealing variants are still a good ways off. We caught up with the good doctor earlier today, who's been working on the military-grade exoskeleton for eight years, and quizzed him on the hows and whys of building a would-be Iron Man. Find out what we learned after the break, and see the mean machine in our gallery below!

Gallery: Raytheon Sarcos XOS 2 exoskeleton - press pics

Continue reading Raytheon's Sarcos XOS 2 military exoskeleton just does the heavy lifting -- for now

Raytheon's Sarcos XOS 2 military exoskeleton just does the heavy lifting -- for now originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 28 Sep 2010 21:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Raytheon revamps Sarcos exoskeleton, creates better, faster and stronger XOS 2 (video)

Sean Hollister — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 09:01:00 EST

When we first laid eyes on the Sarcos XOS military exoskeleton three years ago, its sheer power and dexterity left us in awe... but as you can see immediately above, that wasn't enough for Raytheon. Today, the defense contractor's unveiling the XOS 2, a lighter, stronger robotic suit that uses 50 percent less power for dropping and giving us several hundred pushups. Video and a press release after the break don't specify the suit's military duties (they're focused on instilling the notion that the XOS 2 is a real-life Iron Man) but we can definitely imagine these causing some serious damage if Hammer Industries decided to weaponize that high-pressure hydraulic frame.

Update: We previously stated that the suit didn't need to be tethered to a power source for operation, but that information was incorrect.

[Thanks, SmoothMarx]

Gallery: Raytheon Sarcos XOS 2 exoskeleton - press pics

Continue reading Raytheon revamps Sarcos exoskeleton, creates better, faster and stronger XOS 2 (video)

Raytheon revamps Sarcos exoskeleton, creates better, faster and stronger XOS 2 (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 27 Sep 2010 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Visualized: GE's exoskeleton from a heavy metal past-future

Trent Wolbe — Mon, 13 Sep 2010 08:19:00 EST

Sure, plastic is light, durable, and easy to mold, but there's something so raw and medieval about a metal exoskeleton -- built long before anyone could call it steampunk -- that it makes us want to strap on our hard hat, hop in the Engadg-O-Matic Time Machine, and travel back to a bulkier past where we could give this big guy a painful hug. Check the source link for all sorts of adorable / frightening prototype illustrations of General Electric's army-commissioned "Hardiman force amplifying exoskeleton" from 1967, and feel free to drift off to happier times in the process. Just come back at some point, cool?

Visualized: GE's exoskeleton from a heavy metal past-future originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 13 Sep 2010 08:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

HULC exo-skeleton ready for testing, set to hit the ground running next year (video)

Tim Stevens — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 10:51:00 EST

Its lack of jetpacks means Heinlein's visions of future warfare have still not come to pass, but we're getting closer with word that Lockheed Martin's Human Universal Load Carrier (HULC) exoskeleton is ready for military testing. Since last we heard of the thing it's been "ruggedized" and made a little more battle-hardy, able to carry 200lbs plus its own 53lb heft without burdening the doughy soldier inside, demonstrated after the break. It supports the cargo plus its own weight through articulated rods that follow the legs to the ground, meaning grunts can haul heavy equipment to the battle and arrive feeling refreshed. Next up for the suit is eight weeks of military trials ahead of hitting the battlefield sometime next year. Hooah, future robo-jockeys.

Continue reading HULC exo-skeleton ready for testing, set to hit the ground running next year (video)

HULC exo-skeleton ready for testing, set to hit the ground running next year (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 21 Jul 2010 10:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Rex, the robotic exoskeleton, aims to make wheelchairs obsolete

Vlad Savov — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 02:58:00 EST

New Zealand isn't exactly known for being a hotbed of tech innovation, but this set of bionic legs might just realign that perception a little bit. The product of seven years of development work, the Rex exoskeleton is capable of supporting the full weight of a person -- making it suitable for paraplegics -- and moving him or her around in a familiar bipedal fashion. It's operated using a joystick and control pad and is simple enough for handicapped users to self-transfer in and out of. The best news, perhaps, is that it's about to go on sale in its home country this year, with an international launch following in 2011. The worst news? Probably the $150,000 (US) initial asking price, but then we'd hardly say we're qualified to judge the value of being able to walk again. Video and full press release after the break.

[Thanks, Kurt and Simon]

Continue reading Rex, the robotic exoskeleton, aims to make wheelchairs obsolete

Rex, the robotic exoskeleton, aims to make wheelchairs obsolete originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 15 Jul 2010 02:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Protonex fuel-cell batteries to power HULC exoskeleton for three solid days

Darren Murph — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 09:29:00 EST

We're selfishly daydreaming of how we could use something like this at the next CES, but chances are that Lockheed Martin is really only fixated on boosting its bottom line by assisting the US military. The company's HULC exoskeleton, which was originally introduced by Berkeley Bionics in 2008, is seeing a significant upgrade this week courtesy of a fuel-cell power pack from Protonex. The goal? To strap a new, more potent battery onto the Human Universal Load Carrier that will support 72+ hour extended missions. Soldiers tend to carry around a lot more gadgetry now, all of which requires more and more power; with this pack, the men and women in the field could carry fewer conventional batteries while seeing an overall boost in available juice. There's no mention of when exactly this stuff will be rolled out en masse, but that's a detail you'll probably never know, anyway.

Protonex fuel-cell batteries to power HULC exoskeleton for three solid days originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 22 Jan 2010 09:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Video: Power Loader has giant freaking robot arms!

Vlad Savov — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 04:51:00 EST

We've seen our fair share of useful but ugly and pretty but pointless robotic concoctions, but nothing quite like this. The Power Loader suit, which was directly inspired by the mech outfits in Aliens, is in our humble opinion an exoskeleton done right. With two massive protruding arms, capable of lifting 220 pounds without a sweat, direct force feedback for intuitive control, and even powered legs, we're inclined to believe what we're seeing here is a tiny glimpse of the awesome mech-dominated future we've been waiting so long for. Also known as the Dual-Arm Power Amplification Robot, this is produced by Activelink, a Panasonic subsidiary, and you might be shocked to discover that there are plans afoot to commercialize it by 2015. Entrancing video after the break.

Continue reading Video: Power Loader has giant freaking robot arms!

Filed under: Robots, Wearables

Video: Power Loader has giant freaking robot arms! originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 01 Oct 2009 04:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Cyberdyne said to be mass producing $4,200 HAL robotic suit

Darren Murph — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 10:02:00 EST

Years after the HAL (Hybrid Assistive Limb) suit first debuted, it seems that Cyberdyne's pride and joy is about to get really real. According to a report over at HPlus Magazine, the company is linking up with Daiwa House in order to "begin mass production" of the cybernetic bodysuit. You already know what it does -- inflates the ego, boosts your strength and scores you loads of nerd dates -- but here's the crucial part: $4,200. Of course, there's no hard date on when the first of the 400 annual units produced will be made available, but we'd probably get up with someone about a pre-order if you're serious about going bionic.

[Thanks, Phil]

Filed under: Robots, Wearables

Cyberdyne said to be mass producing $4,200 HAL robotic suit originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 11 Apr 2009 10:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

New robotic exoskeleton aims to help farmers combat age, mutant plants

Donald Melanson — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 21:50:00 EST

Well, it looks like there's been yet another development in the exoskeleton arms race between the US and Japan, with this latest entrant from the Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology promising to help farmers and gardeners deal better with old age and increasingly unwieldy crops. This one weighs in at a somewhat hefty 55 pounds but, like most such exoskeletons, it's able to offload most of its own weight thanks to the use of eight motors and 16 sensors, which also, of course, help to give its wearer some super-strength. Better still, the researchers say the suit could be available in as soon as three years, and cost somewhere between $5,000 and $10,000.

[Via Engadget German]

Filed under: Robots, Wearables

New robotic exoskeleton aims to help farmers combat age, mutant plants originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 13 Jan 2009 21:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Honda introduces new walking assist machine, doubles as bionic wedgie maker

Tim Stevens — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 07:44:00 EST

For a company most famous for its wheeled products, Honda certainly seems quite focused on things to help people get about on their own two feet, introducing another new prototype machine with just that in mind. Unlike the earlier Walking Assist Device, which is intended just to help patients re-learn how to walk, the new (and cunningly named) Walking Assist Device with Bodyweight Support System is for anyone who needs a lift -- even those who are perfectly healthy. To use it you basically straddle a bicycle seat with robotic legs, tie it to your shoes, and then (gingerly) go about your business, uncomfortably demonstrated in a video after the break. The legs support your body when you crouch and give little tugs on your feet when you walk, making bipedal mobility less of a strain. A Honda engineer said "It reduces stress, and you should feel less tired." Less tired, yes, and less exercised too. We envision a future where spindly robotic legs shudder under the weight of our grossly obese frames -- but maybe we've seen Wall-E too many times.

[Via Associated Press]

Continue reading Honda introduces new walking assist machine, doubles as bionic wedgie maker

Filed under: Wearables

Honda introduces new walking assist machine, doubles as bionic wedgie maker originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 07 Nov 2008 07:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Video: ReWalk exoskeleton helps paraplegics walk

Darren Murph — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 03:53:00 EST

ARGO Medical Technologies' ReWalk has been out a few months now, but it's tough to really appreciate what this thing can do unless you see a patient utilize one on video. Hailed as a "quasi-robotic ambulation system," the wearable device was specifically created to assist those with lower-limb disabilities and give them back upright mobility. In the video waiting in the read link, one particular individual relies on the ReWalk to stand up and move about after being stricken to a wheelchair for 20 years -- no need to take our word for it, though, real live proof is but a click away.

[Via MedGadget]

Filed under: Robots, Wearables

Video: ReWalk exoskeleton helps paraplegics walk originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 22 Jul 2008 03:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Original Project Grizzly suit being auctioned off

Darren Murph — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 14:10:00 EST

Troy Hurtubise has certainly auctioned off a few grizzly fighting suits before (not to mention the Halo-inspired Trojan), but this is likely your one and only shot at procuring the original Project Grizzly Mk VI suit worn by Troy himself in the generally unknown cult classic Project Grizzly. The suit is being offered to the highest bidder as the Grizzly Proof exhibit in Toronto shuts down, and while the starting bid sits at $500, it'll take upwards of 40 grand before Mr. Hurtubise's debts associated with the suit are cleared. C'mon, you know that's all the reason you need to throw your hat into the ring.

[Thanks, Cantraider]

Filed under: Robots

Original Project Grizzly suit being auctioned off originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 07 Jul 2008 14:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Honda's Walking Assist Device beginning medical testing

Donald Melanson — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 14:26:00 EST

Honda's been busy showing off its Walking Assist Device at trade shows and whatnot for some time now, but it looks like it's now finally getting down to some actual trials of the contraption, with it set to begin some collaborative testing with the Shinseikai Medical Group at Kasumigaseki-Minami Hospital tomorrow. They will reportedly be using the device in rehabilitation training to help people learn to walk again, during which time the "compatibility and effectiveness" will be evaluated. In case you missed it, the Walking Assist Device uses some of the same technology that Honda originally developed for its ASIMO robot, including an array of sensors and motors that promise to keep the wearer upright and, eventually, give them a fighting chance against the machines.

Filed under: Wearables

Honda's Walking Assist Device beginning medical testing originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 30 Jun 2008 14:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Berkeley Bionics' HULC exoskeleton lets you effortlessly carry 200lbs

Joshua Fruhlinger — Sat, 31 May 2008 06:17:00 EST

Sorry, but squats are so 20th Century. Instead, strap on the HULC -- Human Universal Load Carrier -- exoskeleton and effortlessly carry an extra 200lbs. HULC not only increases your human payload, but it also "decreases [your] metabolic cost". In other words, it seems Berkeley Bionics developed this thing for extremely lazy people, those who lose their breath easily, or for those on what they call "long duration missions". This is no joke, though -- the company is taking orders for the suit already.

[Via Switched]

Filed under: Robots

Berkeley Bionics' HULC exoskeleton lets you effortlessly carry 200lbs originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 31 May 2008 06:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Honda to show off experimental "walking assist device"

Donald Melanson — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 16:37:00 EST

It's far from the only strength-boosting exoskeleton out there, but Honda's so-called "walking assist device" is one of the few that you can actually take for a test spin -- if you happen to be attending the Barrier Free 2008 trade show in Osaka, Japan next week, that is. Apparently employing some of the same technology developed by Honda for its ASIMO robot, the walking assistant is able to obtain information from hip angle sensors to help keep its wearer upright, with the device's motors also able to increase the wearer's natural stride. That, Honda says, should make the device ideal for the elderly or those with weakened leg muscles, although we're sure they could find at least a few other buyers if it ever actually hits the market at a reasonable price.

[Via Autoblog]

Filed under: Wearables

Honda to show off experimental "walking assist device" originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 22 Apr 2008 16:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Popular Science blows out the Sarcos XOS exoskeleton

Donald Melanson — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 17:04:00 EST

We were sold on (and slightly terrified of) the Sarcos XOS exoskeleton from the moment we first saw it show off its superhuman capabilities on video late last year, but if you just can't get enough of it you'll definitely want to hit up the ever-dependable Popular Science, which has now totally blown things out with the full story behind the suit, complete with some great new pics of it. As if that wasn't enough, the piece also includes some tidbits about some of Sarcos' future plans, including word that the Army plans to begin field-testing the XOS by 2009, and that the company intends to kick off a new research program this summer tasked with developing a new generator that'll be capable of powering the suit for "hours at a time." Of course, there's plenty more in the six-page feature that we're unable to sum up here, so be sure to hit up the link below for the full story.

Filed under: Robots, Wearables

Popular Science blows out the Sarcos XOS exoskeleton originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 11 Apr 2008 17:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Soft pneumatic exoskeleton trades sci-fi for wearability

Paul Miller — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 01:10:00 EST

We love a good anime-inspired mechanical exoskeleton just as much as the next person, but most social contexts don't exactly smile upon lazy nerds doing their best impression of an AT-ST walker. That's why we're rather intrigued by this pneumatic and highly wearable soft exoskeleton put together by some folks at the University of Michigan. The suit is a hybrid system with electronics responsible for pumping the leg around, and a roboticist from the Science University of Tokyo is working on a version for the upper extremities.

[Via MAKE]

Filed under: Wearables

Soft pneumatic exoskeleton trades sci-fi for wearability originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 11 Apr 2008 01:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Wearable farming robot suit takes the load off

Darren Murph — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 09:20:00 EST

Hard to believe we're seeing yet another wearable robot suit emerge from Japan, eh? All sarcasm aside, there actually is a newcomer to the curiously growing market courtesy of Shigeki Toyama and colleagues from the Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology. The aptly dubbed farming robot suit is a strap-on contraption that makes lifting objects much easier than nature intended, reportedly reducing the wear and tear (read: force) placed on one's joints, knees and back by around 50-percent. Additionally, the suit will be programmable depending on the type of work being done, but we've no idea if any third-party attachments (you know, rubber band launchers, integrated HMDs, etc.) are in the works. On the real, you'll be looking at around ¥500,000 ($4,559) to ¥1,000,000 ($9,117) to ease your load, but that could dip as low as ¥200,000 ($1,823) per suit if mass production becomes viable.

[Via The Register]

Filed under: Robots, Wearables

Wearable farming robot suit takes the load off originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 17 Jan 2008 09:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Sarcos' military exoskeleton becomes a frightening reality

Joshua Topolsky — Sun, 25 Nov 2007 04:02:00 EST

Have you been waiting for a legion of half-man, half-machine storm troopers to descend upon your city and blaze a round of hellfire in all general directions? If you said yes, that's kind of weird. At any rate, you can consider yourself one step closer to cyborg annihilation thanks to a company called Sarcos and its semi-scary exoskeleton -- which will make any regular old soldier into a Terminator-like killing machine (as far as we can tell). Sure, they demo the unit lifting heavy equipment and reducing fatigue of the user, but we know what this thing is really for -- and it doesn't involve food drops. Check the video after the break to have your mind shattered into a million delicious pieces.

Continue reading Sarcos' military exoskeleton becomes a frightening reality

Filed under: Robots, Wearables

Sarcos' military exoskeleton becomes a frightening reality originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 25 Nov 2007 04:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

MIT shows off load-bearing exoskeleton

Donald Melanson — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 12:46:00 EST

While it isn't exactly treading new ground, MIT's new exoskeleton looks to boast more than enough robotics-enhanced super strength to garner some attention for itself, not to mention some interest from the folks at DARPA, who funded the project. As with similar systems, MIT's rig is designed to let individuals carry loads far heavier than they are normally able to, in this case taking 80 percent of the weight off an 80 pound load carried on a person's back. Unlike other systems, however, MIT's exoskeleton only requires a very small one watt power source, as opposed to the much larger gasoline engines used on some other rigs. The system apparently isn't quite perfected just yet though, as it currently "impedes the natural walking gait of the person wearing it," something MIT says it plans to improve.

[Via The Register]

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets, Wearables

MIT shows off load-bearing exoskeleton originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 20 Sep 2007 12:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Dean Kamen's robotic prosthetic arm gets detailed on video

Darren Murph — Sun, 20 May 2007 00:51:00 EST

While you'd heard the whispers of a robotic prosthetic arm being crafted by Dean Kamen and his engineering colleagues, very little details have since surfaced on the project. Thankfully, a video was captured during a recent conference in Honolulu, Hawaii where Dean was addressing the FIRST Robotics competition. During the speech, however, he segued (ahem) into a brief glimpse at what's been going on behind the scenes with the device. Shown as "Gen X - Separate Exo Control," the robotic arm was seen demonstrated by team members grasping a water bottle from a friend, picking up an ink pen and turning the wrist over in order to write, and even scratching his nose. Kamen explained that haptic response was paramount, and the "fully completed" prototype sports 14 degrees of freedom (and actuators) and weighs less than nine pounds. Click on through for the captured demonstration.

[Via BoingBoing]

Continue reading Dean Kamen's robotic prosthetic arm gets detailed on video

Filed under: Robots, Wearables

Dean Kamen's robotic prosthetic arm gets detailed on video originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 20 May 2007 00:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Robotic exoskeleton takes over for your lazy muscles

Paul Miller — Sat, 10 Feb 2007 14:30:00 EST

Finally all this research into artificial limbs and human strength augmentation -- as if we'd want to lift stuff -- has resulted in a robotic exoskeleton that doesn't help your muscles do more, but instead allows them to do less. It was designed by researchers at University of Michigan, and is currently being tested on healthy subjects. The ankle exoskeleton is fitted with electrodes which are attached to the wearer's leg muscles and allow the robotics to anticipate muscle movement and perform the action itself. At first a healthy user's gait is disrupted by this extra boost, but after about 30 minutes the person learns to use their own muscles less and have the exoskeleton do most of the walking. We figure similar tests done on a blogger would result in total adaptation in about 7 seconds. Of course, the plan down the road is to use these pneumatic artificial muscles to sense the weaker electrical signals being sent by certain people with spinal injuries or neurological disorders to allow them to move with full strength or to rehabilitate old muscle movements, but that testing has yet to begin, and for now the achievements of this project are purely for the lazy at heart.

Filed under: Robots

Robotic exoskeleton takes over for your lazy muscles originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 10 Feb 2007 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Project Grizzly guy forced to auction Trojan 'Halo suit'

Evan Blass — Tue, 06 Feb 2007 21:38:00 EST

Normally we'd start off a post about the sale of Canadian Troy Hurtubise's Trojan fully-armored exoskeleton with a few amusing Robocop quips, but the reason Troy has to let his crazy, high-tech creation go makes such frivolity seem a little inappropriate. You see, Troy -- inventor of such products as several well-documented bear suits, a fire-resistant paste, and a strange device that he claims can see through walls and skin -- spent $150,000 developing the Trojan (apparently his family's entire savings), along with 1,800 hours on everything from calibrating the helmet-mounted laser to designing the unique, um, crotch-mounted digital compass / world clock. Well even after all the media exposure that made his get-up something of an internet celebrity recently, Troy was unable to find any buyers interested in mass producing what was projected to be a $2,000 piece of equipment -- reportedly leaving him broke and facing eviction. If you do decide to pursue this one-of-a-kind wearable tank (it can supposedly withstand a shotgun blast at point blank), keep in mind that you're getting more than just the suit itself, as Troy is also throwing in rights to the so-called "Shadow Armor" formula that he developed; entrepreneurial military contractors take note. So far there hasn't been a single offer on the badass Trojan, and with a starting bid of only $1,000, there's a chance that you could pick this beauty up for a song (the reserve, however, is unknown). We had a pretty funny Batman joke to close things out with, but instead we'll just direct you to the video after the break, and use this space to wish Troy and his family the best of luck.

[Via The Hamilton Spectator, thanks Bill D.]

Continue reading Project Grizzly guy forced to auction Trojan 'Halo suit'

Filed under: Wearables

Project Grizzly guy forced to auction Trojan 'Halo suit' originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 06 Feb 2007 21:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Project Grizzly inventor crafts real-world Halo suit for military use

Darren Murph — Mon, 15 Jan 2007 05:51:00 EST

While it's not likely that you'll encounter the Arbiter on any given day, the slightly off-kilter Project Grizzly inventor has gone out of his way (and possibly his mind) to create what resembles a real-life Halo suit, sporting protection from gunfire and ensuring you an award at Covenant gatherings. Troy Hurtubise created the suit, dubbed Trojan, in hopes of protecting Canadian soldiers in Afghanistan and US soldiers in Iraq, and considering that it has withstood knives, bullets, light explosives, clubs, and even a round from an elephant gun, it sounds like quite the winner. Proclaimed to be the "first ballistic, full exoskeleton body suit of armor," Trojan is crafted from high-impact plastic lined with ceramic bullet protection over ballistic foam, and features nearly endless compartments, morphine / salt containers, knife and gun holsters, emergency lights, a built-in recording device, pepper spray, ingestible transponder for those "last resort" scenarios, and there's even a fresh air system powered by solar panels within the helmet. Mr. Hurtubise claims the 18 kilograms (40 pounds) suit is comfortable enough to make road trips in (yes, he tried it), and if any major military would take him up on it, they could reportedly be produced for "around $2,000 apiece." Now that's a bargain, folks.

[Thanks, Alec]

Filed under: Wearables

Project Grizzly inventor crafts real-world Halo suit for military use originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 15 Jan 2007 05:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Sarcos to produce US Army's exoskeletons in 2008

Darren Murph — Mon, 30 Oct 2006 13:19:00 EST

While Cyberdyne is off ramping up production for its own superhuman suit, it looks like Sarcos has been tasked with eventually producing an army's worth of exoskeletons here in the US. While armies across the globe have been scouting out robotic enhancements for front line GIs, the head honcho for DARPA's exoskelton program says that units enabling soldiers to "run faster, leap further and carry more will be delivered for Army testing in 2008." Sarcos bested 13 other firms seeking the presumably lucrative contract, primarily because its "system uses just one engine instead of many," and amps up the lucky (or not) individual strapped in by "driving hydraulic fluid via high pressure lines to servo valves on each joint." Of course, OSHA regulations won't allow these combustion engine-equipped suits to operate "inside of buildings," but bionic men / women shouldn't have any qualms busting out a bit of drywall to exploit that loophole anyway.

Filed under: Robots, Wearables

Sarcos to produce US Army's exoskeletons in 2008 originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 30 Oct 2006 13:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments