Japanese Robot Suit

This is a truly cool invention, it could really help physically disabled people suffering from hip, knee, or foot problems to name just a very few. From the article:

HAL, which weighs 23kg, is comprised of robotic 'limbs', and a backpack containing the suit's battery and computer system. It is strapped to the body and controlled by thought. When a person attempts to move, nerve signals are sent from the brain to the muscles, and very weak traces of these signals can be detected on the surface of the skin. The HAL suit identifies these signals using a sensor attached the skin of the wearer, and a signal is sent to the suit's power unit telling the suit to move in unison with the wearer's own limbs.

It seems a little heavy but with a battery and computer system that lasts for 5 hours, a person will be capable of much more activity and much more strength. It could aid a person in lifting heavy objects, getting out of a wheel chair, and many other tasks. Plus I am sure there will be many refinements to this suit as time goes by.
The exo-skeleton is named Hal and I cannot help but feel very excited about this creation. Getting older can be a bitch, a car accident can bring life altering injuries and now there is going to be a solution to those physical problems. It really feels like science fiction is merging with real life. Sometimes it feels like we are going backwards when I see so many wars, cruelties to plants, animals, and humans, and then I read a story like this and get excited that we are moving ahead and trying to make life better for everyone!
Here is a LINK to the story and enjoy your weekend.

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