Robotic Exoskeleton Approved as Medical Device in Europe

Cyberdyne Systems is the fictional company depicted in the Terminator series that creates cyborgs that eventually turn against humanity. A similarly named firm, Cyberdyne (Tokyo, Japan) has received European medical device certification for HAL, a cyborg-style robot that can improve mobility for wheelchair-bound patients. Unlike previous devices, HAL is designed to pick up electrical signals from a patient's nervous system.

When an individual moves his or her leg, the brain sends electrical signals through the nervous system to a select group of muscles. HAL can pick up on these weak biosignals, syncing an individual's natural movement with the movement of the device. This allows HAL to help an individual walk without impeding his or her natural freedom of movement.

The device was approved by a German safety certification service, TÜV Rheinland. To receive the certification, the company made more than 130 improvements to the device. Armed with the certification, the company can start clinical trials of the device in Europe. In addition, the company ultimately plans on selling HAL as a medical device in Asia and United States.

For now, Cyberdyne will export 12 of its HAL robots to Bergmannsheil, a German hospital group. Clinical testing of the robotic system will include 100 patients with leg disabilities caused by muscular dystrophic, strokes and spinal cord injuries.

Each participant in the study is slated to undergo 90 days of rehabilitation therapy with the robotic system. The clinical trial will help researchers analyze the safety and efficacy of the system.

"We strongly believe that technologies should be designed for the benefits of humankind," notes Cyberdyne on its website. "We will be focusing on strong R&D and will introduce very new products and services to the society."