BAYER MaterialScience is supplying high-quality material for an innovative exoskeleton designed to support the human motor function and strength. Robot Suit® HAL®, developed and manufactured by the Japanese company Cyberdyne, is one example of the pioneering developments being made in the increasingly important field of healthcare. The gleaming white plastic housing of HAL (Hybrid Assistive Limb) is based on a thermoplastic polymer blend from the Bayblend® product class. “Our material combines the requisite impact resistance with a stylish design,” explained Dr. Lorenz Kramer, who is responsible for the Robotics section at Bayer Material-Science.“Our partnership with Cyberdyne is enabling us to step up our global activities on the future-oriented robotics market.” In Japan, HAL for lower limbs is already available as a leasing model for use in welfare facilities. In this application, the exoskeleton helps the wearer with dayto-day activities such as walking, standing up and climbing stairs.

In view of Japan’s aging population, rapid market growth is forecast for these kinds of service robots in the years ahead.

Experts also see considerable potential throughout the western world. “Bayblend improves the functionality of HAL considerably,” commented Professor Yoshiyuki Sankai, CEO and founder of Cyberdyne Inc.