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Today, Japanese scientists went for a leisurely stroll in their robotic suits to display the power of the HAL suit. Such hybrid suits can assist recovering patients or other weakened people get around, and can even boost users’ strength to help lift heavy objects.

The battery-powered suit can also adjust to help wearers move in the direction they want to go, based on sensors that detect electric signals traveling beneath the skin to the brain. Japanese residents can rent out the two-legged suits for $2,200 per month from the company Cyberdyne, or a one-legged version for $1,500 per month.

There’s no rocket-powered flight capability, or even running just yet. But when it comes to Iron Man prototypes, merely having the strength boost may satisfy aficionados of robotic suits. For now.

[via NECN]