London, Oct 20 (ANI): Stopping a moving aircraft with one hand didn't take much of an effort for Superman, and now, you too can possess such superhumanly strength, all thanks to a robotic suit that can multiply its wearer's body strength tenfold.

Earlier this month, the world's first fully functioning robotic exoskeleton was launched in Japan.

Called the Hybrid Assistive Limb (HAL) system, the exoskeleton will provide the wearer with previously unthinkable abilities and strength.

Developed by a Japanese company called Cyberdyne, HAL was moves only when you want it to move.

It makes use of sensors applied to the skin that detect the feeble electrical currents sent by the brain through the nervous system when it commands a particular activity.

The sensors are connected to a computer that interprets the signal and then sends its own command to electric leg and arm braces. When detected, the appropriate electrical nerve signal, HAL moves a split-second before the leg muscle itself.

The upper-body component of the exoskeleton improves the arm strength.

The suit is calibrated to the user's natural strength, so that weaker users can easily make use of the technology.

Teaming up with companies in Japan and Holland to lease the technology, Cyberdyne is planning to rent out up to 500 lower-body versions of HAL a year, at a cost of about 1,300 pounds per month.

Meant as a rehabilitation tool, HAL will bring mobility and strength to elderly and physically handicapped people.

The technology could also have industrial and military applications.

However, no mention has been been made on the availability of upper-body units as yet.

"Automobiles have been around for a century, but HAL is just beginning," Times Online quoted Cyberdyne chief executive Yoshi-yuki Sankai, as saying.

He added: "Unlike cars, HAL wasn't developed in a one-sided fashion, but by incorporating the views of many people, including end-users." (ANI)

Be first to comment this article | Add as favourites (5)

London, Oct 20 (ANI): Environmentalists have called upon the release of the whale shark in Dubai's lavish Atlantis Hotel.

The 13ft whale shark can be seen circling the hotel's aquarium - a tank built to invoke the ruins of Atlantis, the mythical Lost City, reports the Telegraph.

The hotel built on the Palm Jumeirah Island, originally said it had "rescued" the shark, which is protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (Cites).

The animal rights activists have demanded the release of the endangered whale species.

The shark named Sammy was caught off the coast of Dubai six weeks ago.

While the management claims that they had "rescued" an animal, who was in distress, however, former employees have told that capturing a whale shark had always been planned as a tourist attraction.

The hotel has refused to comment on whether Sammy will be released.

The Atlantis was the first to open on The Palm, a man-made island off the coast of the United Arab Emirates that is shaped like a palm tree.

It is believed to be one of the Dubai's most extravagant hotels to date, featuring a water park, aquarium, 1,500 guest rooms and 16 restaurants. (ANI)

Be first to comment this article | Add as favourites (4)

London, Oct 20 (ANI): Faith and trust are a thing of the past, according to British scientists, who claim that the 21st century is the "age of paranoia." After researching paranoia for over a decade Dr Daniel Freeman, a clinical psychologist from King's College London, conceded that levels of paranoia and mistrust are skyrocketing in today's date.

"These days, we daren't let our children play outside. We're suspicious of strangers. Security cameras are everywhere," The Telegraph quoted him as saying.

He added: "We seem to have entered an age of paranoia. And the indications are that things may only get worse."

Freeman found that one in four people have paranoid thoughts regularly.

In his opinion, a new era of suspiciousness has been triggered by a combination of factors, which include the increasing number of people living in cities, the physical environment in which we live, growing wealth inequalities and the reporting of crime and terrorism.

In fact, the levels of paranoia are much higher in cities as compared to rural areas. This is the first time the world's urban population has outnumbered the rural.

Dr Freeman said: "Social bonds are much looser in cities than in smaller, rural communities where ready-made, relatively stable support networks exist.

"Social isolation, a frequent drawback to urban life, is closely associated with paranoid thoughts. In the UK nearly four times as many people live alone than 50 years ago. Increasing paranoia is certainly one more challenge posed by galloping urbanisation."

Further, he said that the news coverage given to crime is far ahead of coverage of 'real killers' such as heart disease, cancer and road accidents, which promotes a culture of paranoia. (ANI)

Be first to comment this article | Add as favourites (6)

Sriharikota (Andhra Pradesh), Oct 20(ANI): The countdown for the launch of Chandrayaan-1, India's first unmanned moon mission, has begun today at the Satish Dhawan Space centre at Sriharikota.

The spacecraft will be launched on Wednesday at 6.20 a.m. The spacecraft would be carrying 11 payloads (scientific instruments) and weigh about 1,380 kg at the time of its launch, according to reports.

Chandrayaan-1 satellite would orbit the Moon at an altitude of 100 km mapping the topography and the mineralogical content of the lunar soil. Chandrayaan-1 would also carry a Moon Impact Probe payload for demonstrating the technology needed towards landing on the Moon''s surface. India believes the Rs 386-crore lunar mission is a step towards its quest for exploration of outer space and inter-planetary missions. (ANI)

Be first to comment this article | Add as favourites (2)