Panasonic venture set to make strength-boosting robotic suits

A Panasonic intercompany start-up is ready to begin accepting orders for custom-made power-amplifying robotic suit, the Power Loader, designed to help people carry heavy loads of around 100 kg with ease at construction sites and emergency situations.  The suit stands 1.6 meters tall and weighs 230kg.  The user mounts the contraption - feet strapped to the robot legs and hands holding the grips - to control the two utility arms.  Sensors measure the force and direction applied to the grips and the information is translated into supplemental strength, enabling a load of 100kg to be easily lifted as high as 2 meters and carried.  It expects to have practical versions ready by 2015.