Cyborgs are the Future

The technology required to create superhuman cyborgs is no longer the distant dream of sci-fi fanatics. Japan already has a fully operational robot suit. The latest version of the suit is called HAL 5 (HAL stands for “hybrid assistive limb”).

HAL 5 is a 15 kilogram battery powered exoskeleton suit that detects nerve signals and amplifies muscular strength. Anyone who wears the suit could potentially lift 10 times the weight they normally could.

HAL 5 units will be available for purchase starting next year. Production will be limited to only 20 units in 2007 and 400-500 units in 2008. Yoshiyuki Sankai, professor at Tsukuba University and developer of HAL, says “Humans may be able to mutate into supermen in the near future.”

TechEBlog – Top 5 Future Technologies

Gizmodo -  Japanese Robot Suit

Earthtimes.org – Robot suit to assist Japan’s elderly as early as 2008