HAL, Explained

At RoboFit, our trainers are working with the latest exoskeleton technology, developed by Cyberdyne.

Cyberdyne’s premier exoskeleton is the Hybrid Assistive Limb (HAL).  As the world’s first commercially available neuro-controlled exoskeleton, HAL leverages electrodes to read the wearer’s movement intent and move when required.

This technology – the first of its kind in Australia, is primarily designed to help individuals living with neurological and musculoskeletal conditions such as Multiple Sclerosis, people with Spinal Cord Injury and Stroke Survivors. HAL assists them to complete movements that they’ve previously been unable to do.

HAL is the culmination of the blending of Man, Machine and Information. The technology moves with the wearer rather than for the wearer.

• Think
  First, you go to perform a movement. When this happens, your brain sends signals to the desired muscle group to tell it to act.

• Send
  Receiving the signals, the muscles attempt to move. In a healthy body, this would be where the muscle acts with the intended strength and speed.
• Read
  Using electrodes, HAL reads the bioelectric signals sent by the brain and determines what movement the wearer intends to perform.
• Move
  In accordance with the recognised motions, HAL distributes power to the exoskeleton, providing the wearer with the required assistance to complete the action as normal.
• Feedback
  Performing the motions with HAL stimulates neuroplasticity, developing new neural pathways and improving long term motor function.