Polymers HALp the elderly to lift and move with an exoskeleton
Wednesday, 9 February 2011
Bayer MaterialScience is supplying high-quality material for an innovative exoskeleton designed to support the human motor function and strength. Robot Suit ® HAL®, developed and manufactured by the Japanese company CYBERDYNE, is now on show at the Bayer MaterialScience stand at the world’s biggest plastics fair K 2010 in Düsseldorf. It is one example of the pioneering developments being made in the increasingly important field of healthcare.
The gleaming white plastic housing of HAL® is now based on a thermoplastic polymer blend from the Bayblend® product class. “Our material combines the requisite impact resistance with a stylish design,” explained Dr. Lorenz Kramer, who is responsible for the Robotics section at Bayer MaterialScience. “Our partnership with CYBERDYNE is enabling us to step up our global activities on the future-oriented robotics market.”In Japan, HAL® (Hybrid Assistive Limb®) for lower limbs is already available as a leasing model for use in welfare facilities. In this application, the exoskeleton helps the wearer with day-to-day activities such as walking, standing up and climbing stairs.In view of Japan’s aging population, rapid market growth is forecast for these kinds of service robots in the years ahead.
Experts also see considerable potential throughout the western world.“Bayblend® improves the functionality of HAL® considerably,” commented Professor Yoshiyuki Sankai, CEO and founder of CYBERDYNE Inc. He believes polymers could have numerous other applications in the manufacture of robots as a replacement for the metal components that are in widespread use today but which are hampered by too many limitations. Sankai again: “We are very impressed with the innovative capability and technological focus of Bayer MaterialScience. We look forward to continuing this partnership in the future.”
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