Posted by tourdemars to Technology at May 25, 2004 12:42 PM

Work on exoskeletons around the world is progressing at an amazing pace. Think of an exoskeleton as a wearable robot which you control using stimulus from your own muscles to guide the robot’s movements. Most exoskeleton development is based around supplementing leg strength, though Yanagawa Institute in Japan is working on full body exoskeletons with power-assisted arms, back and legs which will someday enable nurses to lift and carry patients without exertion.