Commercial Exoskeletons

FalconZero writes "For those of you with superhuman aspirations, your dream may be a step closer; New Scientist (recently) and the Japan Times (last year) covered Yoshiyuki Sankai's work at the University of Tsukuba in Japan developing powered exoskeletons with commercial versions expected soon costing between $14,000 and $19,000 (£7,500-£10,000). Other work with exoskeletons previously covered here(1), here(2) and here(3)."

Halo?

[bfizzle]

The first step to real life Halo

I for one...

[Master_T]

Welcome our new "bio-cybernic" overlords.

Ok...

[strider44]

So when do we get mounted guns?

Eh

[daeley]

God, exoskeletons have been done to death -- see one giant bipedal forklift, you've seen them all.

Get back to me when we have commercial powered endoskeletons. Preferably with the razor-like claw add-on.

Personal issues

[Rixel]

With one of these and a perl script, I don't even have to work at masturbation.

If I can only incorporate that roomba into this...

I dunno, it's a bit of a stretch...

[Weaselmancer]

I mean really, of all people...the Japanese coming up with something like this? No way.

Hello again, HAL

[eander315]

There should be an international ban on using the name HAL for any computer, piece of a computer, or anything with a computer attached.

my idea for how to use this technology:

[flyingsquid]

Create an event which is half Battle Bots and half Ultimate Fighting Championship!

Awesome!

[the pickle]

Now the fall of Oscorp is just one successful test away!

p

They'll be made by Caterpillar...

[vought]

"Get away from her, you BITCH!"

Re:Hello again, HAL

[Dwonis]

I called my politician and asked that he demand that the name "HAL" be banned. He said that he was sorry, but he was afraid he can't do that.

Re:Eh

[the pickle]

Made of adamantium, right? :)

I'd buy it...

p

The Wrong Trousers

[chickenmonger]

"It's the wrong trousers, Gromit, and they've gone wrong!" ~ Wallace

Re:I for one...

[Anonymous Coward]

They say the porn industry is always the first to adopt new technology... I for one welcome our robo-porn overlords.

ot

[nounderscores]

Your name is Dave, isn't it.

Re:Eh

[fireboy1919]

I don't know that I'd like that.

How would that work, anyway? You can't move if you're not watching commercials?

For that matter, is that even possible? I don't think that scientists have figured out how to tap the energy potential of commercials to the point where they actually generate energy of any kind. All scientists doing that kind of work end up with is the inability to be scientists any longer due to brain atrophy from watching too many commercials.

How about organically powered enhanced endoskeletons? Might be a bit more practical.

Re:Personal issues

[Anonymous Coward]

Lamest...gratuitous MS Bash...ever...

Finally . . .

[UnknowingFool]

I can honestly say to someone: "Kiss my shiny metal ass!"

Re:I, for one, welcome our new Exoskeleton Overlor

[uhlume]

An exoskeleton would be potentially useful for urban combat (punching through doors, knowck down walls, etc.)

Man, I'm just waiting for the exoskeletons with the built-in spellchecker and "Typing Assist" feature.

Re:Ok...

[Tekgno]

In Korea only old people become cyborgs.

Re:I, for one, welcome our new Exoskeleton Overlor

[kyojin the clown]

i just LOVE the fact that you are all sweaty for enormous battle robots, leaving a trail of death and destruction in their wake, but you are frightened of RFID.

Gee...This will come in handy...

[IdJit]

when the machines start drilling down to Zion.

Until then, I'll wait till they work out the bugs and add the guns.