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]

Japan’s Business Design has a new MechaDroid Type C3 robot receptionist. It was being shown off at Tokyo’s CEATEC conference. I really like this kind of robot’s facial look. Just seems personal and less cold. It offers emo feedback with digital expressions and audio responses. The robot also uses face recognition technology to interpret the needs of visitors and then it will assist them with information or directions that are displayed on a touchscreen panel. When released commercially, the robot will likely go for around $28,000.

[Dvice]

Tokyo’s Akihabara district is the famous capital of “anime, gadgets, computer games and manga” (we don’t recommend going there as you may have a nerdgasm-induced stroke).  The Robot Athletic Meet 2008 was held in Akihabara, and featured small, radio-controlled humanoid bots competing for a little thing called eternal glory.  There were 15 robot competitors participating in a series of events including a two-meter sprint.  Tsukumo, which makes robot kits and products, organized the meet, and hundreds of spectators attended.

Visitors to the district are allowed to test out different types of robot, and local shops are brimming with robot supplies.  Akihabara is the mecca of gadgetry–”With the growing popularity of robots, it is inevitable that anyone who wants to design and build their own walking and talking mechanical humanoid gravitates to the district.”  If all goes as planned we’ll be liveblogging the 2012 robolympics, then back to the hotel for a night of champagne and Wii Volleyball with robotic Misty May.

[Telegraph]