Did you know that Cyberdyne is a real robotics company? Have they developed a robotic suit that will likely evolve into self-aware robots, Judgment Day and the end of the world as we know it?

Cyberdyne, which takes its name from the fictional company responsible for creating the supercomputer Skynet within the Terminator films, is developing a Hybrid Assistive Limb (or HAL… get it?). The suit is s a cyborg-type robot that can expand and improve physical capability. It was designed to help paralyzed people walk again and participate in daily activities.

According to Cyberdyne’s website, the suit works by detecting very weak biosignals on the surface of the skin, after nerve signals are sent from the brain to the muscles via motoneuron.

“HAL catches these signals through a sensor attached on the skin of the wearer. Based on the signals obtained, the power unit is controlled to move the joint unitedly with the wearer’s muscle movement, enabling to support the wearer’s daily activities. This is what we call a ‘voluntary control system’ that provides movement interpreting the wearer’s intention from the biosignals in advance of the actual movement. Not only a ‘voluntary control system’ “HAL” has, but also a ‘robotic autonomous control system’ that provides human-like movement based on a robotic system which integrally work together with the ‘autonomous control system’. “HAL” is the world’s first cyborg-type robot controlled by this unique Hybrid System.”

The future begins…

Thanks to FyodorFish for the tip.