Robot Suit – HAL

What is HAL?

In June of 2004, Dr. Sankai, a professor at the University of Tsukuba (in Japan), established the company CYBERDYNE Incorporated in order to introduce the world to his “Robotic suit,” which he has designed specifically for “the benefits of mankind.” According to Dr. Sankai it was the book I, Robot by Isaac Asimov, which he read in the third grade, which inspired him to dedicate his life and profession to the development of a “Robotic suit” that “…has both advantages of a robot and a cyborg.” Now, after years of work, Dr. Sankai has made his “Robot suit,” known as HAL (Hibrid Assistive Limb), available for use in Japan.

The HAL system (seen in the picture to the left) is described as a cyborg-type robot that can expand and improve physical capability. When a person attempts to move, nerve signals are sent from the brain to the muscles via motoneuron, moving the musculoskeletal system as a consequence. At that moment, very weak biosignals can be detected on the surface of the skin. "HAL" catches these signals through a sensor attached on the skin of the wearer. Based on the signals obtained, the power unit is controlled to move the joint simultaneously with the wearer's muscle movement, enabling to support the wearer's daily activities. This is referred to as a 'voluntary control system' that provides movement interpreting the wearer's intention from the biosignals in advance of the actual movement. HAL has not only a 'voluntary control system', but also a 'robotic autonomous control system' that provides human-like movement based on a robotic system which integrally work together with the 'autonomous control system'. HAL is the world's first cyborg-type robot controlled by this unique hybrid system. 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 labor support at factories, and rescue support at disaster sites, as well as in the entertainment field. The possibilities are endless!

HAL Details:

Size: Wearable robot

Height: 1,600mm

Weight: Full Body Type (Approx. 23kg), Lower body (Approx. 15kg)

Power: Battery - AC100V

Continuous Operating Time: Approximately 2 hours 40 minutes

Motions: Daily activities(standing up from a chair, walking, climbing up and down stairs),
hold and lift heavy objects, and more...

Operation: Hybrid Control System

Working Environment: Indoor and outdoor

How does HAL work?
Two distinct systems:
1. Cybernic Voluntary Control (Bio-Cybernic Control System)

• When a person attempts to walk, for instance, the brain sends electrical impulses to muscles. when they arrive at muscles, faint bio-electrical signals appear on skin surfaces (Picture 1).

• Power units generate torque and put limbs into action (Picture 2).
• Thus, HAL assists the wearer with an intended movement (Picture 3).

2. Robotic Autonomous Control System

• A human motion (for example standing up from a chair) can be recognized as an aggregate of several elemental movements.It is similar to a sentence that consists of several words. For a given motion, "HAL" assembles small movements from the database, just as words from a dictionary are concatenated to form a sentence. Using the database (which is also automatically augmented by the information that sensors collect from the body) "HAL" autonomously coordinates each motion to be assisted smoothly by power units. Furthermore, in the case that no good bio-electrical signals are detectable due to some problems in the central nervous system or in the muscles, "HAL" can be of use through the Robotic Autonomous Control.

Check out this awesome video on HAL!

HAL for Well-Being

"Robot Suit HAL" for Well-being product configuration:

The basic bipedal model of "Robot Suit HAL" for Well-being is pictured above. Accessories such as a dedicated PC to monitor HAL status or settings, battery charger, custom batteries, maintenance tools, etc, are supplied as well.

Background of "Robot Suit HAL" for Well-being:

"Robot Suit HAL" for Well-being was created with the most recent technologies that could be utilized for welfare purposes, resulting from the development of the Robot Suit HAL series. "Robot Suit HAL" for Well-being assists the walking motion of a wearer who has difficulty in walking or who has weakened muscles. Robot Suit HAL can help the wearer achive freedom and independence to stand and walk. "Robot Suit HAL" moves in accordance with the wearer's intention.

Robot Suit HAL Hybrid Control System:

When a person tries to move their body, biosignals is sent from the brain via moto-neuron. These biosignals can be detected on the surface of the skin with sensors attached. The biosignals sent are then relayed to the HAL computer and analyzed, along with the activity of the power units attached to each joint. Controlling the power units based on these relayed biosignals enables assistance according to the wearer's intention. Types and Size of "Robot Suit HAL" for Well-being Bipedal and single leg (right/left) types are available in 3 leg length sizes (S, M, L) and 2 hip width sizes (wide/normal). Fine adjustment of HAL is possible to meet the wearer's physique.

Price:

Both Cyberdyne and Daiwa House plan to produce 400 units of Robot Suit HAL annually and each will cost you US $4,200!

Written by: Chris Schuldt

Sources:
http://www.cyberdyne.jp/english/index.html