mechs

11.24.09

Stabbing Robot Works by Mind Control, Still Loses Japanese Gladiator Competition

An unusual combat robot controlled by neural signals made its debut at Japan's Robo-One competition

By Jeremy Hsu Posted 09.28.2009 at 12:05 pm 3 Comments

Future humans may look back on this mind-controlled stabbing robot as a forerunner to battle mechs and Gundams. But the one-armed stabber failed to win out in the latest Robo-One competition held in Toyama, Japan over the weekend.

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READ MORE ABOUT > electrodes, gladiators, mechs, mind control, robots

Rent a Robotic Suit Named HAL

Japan takes a technological stride forward

By John Brandon Posted 10.08.2008 at 4:49 pm 12 Comments

Starting this Friday, disabled and elderly people in Japan will be able to rent a robotic suit to help them become more mobile. Available in a two-leg (for a $2200-per-month rental fee) or one-leg version ($1500/month), the suit -- called HAL, for Hybrid Assistive Limb -- reads brain signals and directs leg movement.

Yoshiyuki Sankai, the creator of the robot suit, is a professor at the University of Tsukuba and the CEO of Cyberdyne, which is manufacturing and renting the suits.

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READ MORE ABOUT > assistive devices, HAL, health, japanese, mechs, robots

Readers Ask: Where Are Our Mechs?

Giant robot vehicles have long been a staple of science fiction. When do we reality-dwellers get ours?

By PopSci Staff Posted 08.29.2008 at 11:54 am 19 Comments

Reader Nathan asks: "Do you think we'll ever be able to build robot mecha like the Gundams from the Japanese anime series Gundam or the Valkyries from the Japanese anime series Macross?"

The comment box is open. Practical? Plausible? What are the obstacles?

Submit your science and technology questions to fyi@popsci.com.

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READ MORE ABOUT > alt vehicles, anime, bipedal vehicles, fyi live, mecha, mechs, robotics