HAL is a mechanized suit (named for the computer in the movie Odyssey2001), created in Japan to help those sick and elderly who have a hard time moving their limbs well enough to live comfortably or even handle themselves without help.
Basically, the suit 'enhances' your movements, meaning you can make a small, gentle movement and the suit will help you complete it! It is of course only meant to help those in need, so it won't make you super-strong. Sorry, super villians.
When a person wears the suit and attempts to move, nerve signals are sent from the brain to the muscles via motoneurons, moving the musculoskeletal system as a consequence. At this moment, very weak biosignals can be detected on the surface of the skin. "HAL" catches these signals through a sensor attached on the skin of the wearer. Based on the signals obtained, the power unit is controlled to move the joint in unison with the wearer's muscle movement, enabling HAL to support the wearer's daily activities.
HAL suits can already be rented in Japan, and is expected to be in the commercial market in the next few years.
