It was on October 2018 when Kristen Sorensen heard from her doctor that she may never walk again as a symptom of a rare disease.
She had been diagnosed with Guillain Barre Syndrome (GBS), a rare disorder that disrupts the human nervous system.
What Kristen didn’t know was that the Brooks Cybernetic Treatment Center had opened in Jacksonville, FL on May of the same year.
The center was the first US facility to utilize a special treatment known as HAL – the Hybrid Assistive Limb – that has been developed in Japan. HAL is a wearable cybernetic limb that works in the exact same way as we control our legs.
Like any other rehabilitation process, getting oneself comfortable using HAL is not a short process. A doctor helps the patient adjust to the limb by checking various factors such as body balance. Patients still require walkers as their leg muscles have atrophied.
Yet to patients like Kristen, even this process was exhilarating and liberating.point 186 | When she could feel that HAL was moving exactly as she wanted to, Kristen said that “[her] heart was just bursting”.point 286 |
Through her determination, Kristen did something that she thought would be impossible: walk on her own legs (with a walker) at her daughter’s wedding.point 129 | 1
The person who is bringing these dreams come true is Yoshiyuki Sankai.point 301 |
A billionaire CEO who is also a roboticist, Sankai founded Cyberdyne Technologies in 2004 that has been developing “wearable cyborgs” since its establishment.point 140 | He is aware of the negative connotation of cyborgs, especially those depicted in films such as the Terminator series.point 241 | 1
However, he is adamant that he wants to use his knowledge and technology the help those in need. Since developing the prototype of the first HAL in 1998 – the first in history – Sankai and his company has focused on making this technology more convenient and accessible.
The use of these exoskeletons have been increasing: while it was initially restricted to military purposes, it has expanded into the medical purposes and is expected to expand into various other industries as diverse as manufacturing and entertainment.
Of course his discoveries are not without controversy.point 177 | Sankai himself is the first to admit that a societal consensus is a mandatory prerequisite before this technology is widely adapted in society.point 298 |
However, it seems clear that this technology should be more widespread, albeit with concern.point 79 | Ask Kristen: “I would like this kind of technology to be more readily available.point 152 | ”point 159 | 1
What do you think? Are these technologies advancing our well-being or are we heading into a Terminator-esque dystopia? Share your thoughts in the comments, and be sure to follow us on Facebook to get more interesting articles like this one!
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