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WHAT IS HAL?

HAL® [Hybrid Assistive Limb®] is the world‘s first cyborg-type robot that can improve, enhance and support the wearer’s bodily functions and physical capability.

Wearing HAL® [Hybrid Assistive Limb®] leads to a fusion of “man”, “machine” and “information”. HAL® [Hybrid Assistive Limb®] assists a person with paralysis or weakness of the limbs as a result of the spinal cord or brain injuries such as stroke, traumatic brain injury, multiple sclerosis, or neurodegenerative diseases to move and enables him or her to exert bigger motor energy than usual. HAL® is also considered the system that accelerates motor learning of the brain which eventually leads to the neuroplasticity of the brain functions.

HAL®‘S Motion Principle

GENERATE

Command Signals are Generated

The brain generates and transmits signals to muscles necessary for the motions through nerves.

SEND

Receiving The Signals, Muscles Move

Muscle contacts to generate power when it receives the appropriate command signal sent from the brain through the nerves.

READ

HAL Reads Signals

Signals sent to muscles by the brain leak on the skin surface as very faint signals, so called bio-electric signals [BES].

MOVE

HAL Moves as The Wearer Intends

HAL® controls the power units at each joint based on these bio-electrical signals [BES], and allows the wearer to perform the desired movements with their voluntary commands.

FEEDBACK

The Brain Learns Motions

When HAL® has appropriately assisted the intended movement, the feeling is fed back to the brain. Active use of these neural pathways for voluntary movement with physical feedback to the brain leads to an improved ability for the wearer to walk on their own.