An elderly man who has been unable to walk for years now enjoys a morning stroll through the park. Across town, a daughter carries her mother to the bathtub unassisted. While this sounds like a preview for a new science fiction series on elder care, these scenarios may mirror reality in the very near future.
Cyberdyne, a Japanese research and development company, has officially launched its human exoskeleton called HAL (Hybrid Assistive Limb). The company’s President, Yoshiyuki Sankai, developed HAL as a response to Japan’s aging population and to help those who are paralyzed or suffering from degenerated muscles.
Originally showcased in 2005, HAL works by detecting and responding to muscle impulses from the user’s brain. The complete exoskeleton weighs 50 pounds, is battery powered, and able to operate for up to 5 hours. The latest version can be used to carry heavy objects, multiplying the user’s strength by up to 10 times. This could have enormous implications for eldercare in home and institutional settings. The lower portion of HAL can be used independently for those who have difficulty or are unable to walk.
Mr. Sankai sees many practical uses outside of health care including the heavy labor industries, rescue support, and entertainment. For now, HAL is primarily being used in rehabilitation clinics, hospitals, and nursing homes. HAL was recently introduced at 37 medical facilities across Japan.
Currently HAL can only be purchased in Japan but the company has opened offices in Europe and they expect it to become available in the United States over the next couple of years. HAL is rumored to cost around $4200 to buy or $1000 a month to rent, which seems surprisingly affordable compared to competing technologies.
Interest in nursing robotics is growing, with companies such as Canon and Panasonic making large investments in the space. Exoskeletons are likely a ways off from being available to the masses; however, they have the potential to transform caregiving for the better. And what would the next generation of exoskeletons look like? Think nanotechnology–a micro exoskeleton that works in the fabric of your clothes. That’s our prediction. Now the only question is timing.
