The HAL (hybrid assistive limb) exoskeleton, from Cyberdyne, is a powered robotic suit designed to increase the strength of the user by up to 10 times.

Sensors attached to the skin provide HAL with information as to which muscle the user intends to move, the exoskeleton then powers its joints at the same rate the user moves theirs – enabling the wearer to walk around effortlessly wearing the suit which weighs around 50lbs. Should the user pick up an object, the suit compensates for a proportion of the weight.

The suit can be worn for up to five hours between recharges.

Prototypes of the HAL exoskeleton have been around for some years; however, the start of construction work on a new facility means between 400 and 500 of the suits will be produced annually.