HN Theater @HNTheaterMonth

There is a video [1] of it walking on its own. I suspect they have the cables because it was leaning over, twisting, squatting, etc and they probably want to assist with balance.

[1] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mclbVTIYG8E

⬐ bmj

In a couple of those sequences, it looks like the robot is shod with rock climbing shoes.

⬐ bradleyland

They're probably fall-dampening cables with very light tension. These types of cables are like rate limiters for falling objects. It would prevent it from slamming down on the floor if balance was lost, but the tension is very light; just enough to take up slack. Because they're positioned only to the sides and the rear, their greatest effect would actually be to make balance more difficult for a bipedal robot.

⬐ epsylon

I'm pretty sure they are used to deliver power as well.

⬐ bradleyland

The cables at the top are all for fall protection. The tether (power and control) goes through its ankle or hip area, depending on the video. The one video where you see multiple strands hanging down directly from the top are connected to a block and tackle pulley system. If you watch the one shot from behind you can see the hoist hook in the center of its shoulders up high. You can also see the tether at the hip area in the same shot.

$1500/mo seems stunningly cheap for what I imagine is billed as medical equipment. Is there something about the Japanese medical system that prevents massive price inflation from kicking in as soon as you want to say your device is for medical purposes?

Also, if you are into real-life Terminator coolness, Boston Dynamics is a pretty good source of that: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mclbVTIYG8E

⬐ nooneelse

Another such video from this year: http://youtu.be/Y6ZuZuB4tfM