The FST (flexible sensor tube in case you didn’t know) is a controller suit developed by Kyokko Inc. that is designed to control the Wakamaru robot. Using the FST, a the movements of a human are translated perfectly to the Wakamaru robot. A live demonstration of the technology is scheduled for Robo Japan 2008. It’s the ultimate in a remote control toy. Check it out below.
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Paralyzed individuals may be able to walk again with aid from the Cyberdyne suit out of Japan. Yoshiyuki Sankai, a professor at Tsukuba University near Tokyo, introduced the robotic suit at a news conference today. The suit is like a powered exoskeleton, granting new movement to its wearers.
The robot suit receives signals from the brain that move over the skin with the anticipation of muscle movement—the signals are translated to robo-movement as Cyberdyne does its thing. Sankai refuses that his robotic suit technology be used for military purposes, saying “I believe technology becomes useful only when it works for people.” Future implementation of the technology could be used to help construction workers and others who have to lift heavy loads, making a hundred pounds feel like much less. Cyberdyne will be leasing 500 of the battery-operated suits this week.

[AFP]