Iron Man

[Brian J Flanagan]

The prospect of slipping into a robotic exoskeleton that could enhance strength, keep the body active while recovering from an injury or even serve as a prosthetic limb has great appeal. Unlike the svelt body armor donned by Iron Man, however, most exoskeletons to date have looked more like clunky spare parts cobbled together.

Japan's CYBERDYNE, Inc. is hoping to change that with a sleek, white exoskeleton now in the works that it says can augment the body's own strength or do the work of ailing (or missing) limbs. The company is confident enough in its new technology to have started construction on a new lab expected to mass-produce up to 500 robotic power suits (think Star Wars storm trooper without the helmet) annually, beginning in October, according to Japan's Kyodo News Web site.

SciAm

[Vishal Bathija]

wow..!!!
it actually sounds so great that i cant wait for it...though m sure it will have a few flaws or something that other companies might fix and patent the upgraded version as theirs and soon these power suits will be as common as 2day's vehicles....!!!!!!!!!

[Brian J Flanagan]

Wow ... You know, that never occurred to me -- using the suits for mobility! Given how much lighter they would be than automobiles, they could quite easily be more efficient and the suit could offer protection against accidents.

Maybe a hybrid of the suit + Segway? Or other "personal mobility devices"?

Good thinking!