Cybernics: Fusion of Human, Machine and Information

Abstract

Cybernics is a frontier science centered on cybernetics, mechatronics and informatics, and is a new domain of interdisciplinary academic field of human-assistive technology to support, enhance and expand human’s physical/cognitive functions, which challenges to integrate and harmonize humans and robots (RT: robotics technology) with the basis of information technology (IT) in a functional, organic, and social manner, based on several areas of science and technology such as neuroscience, physiology, robotics, computer science, medicine, behavioral science, ethics, safety engineering, psychology, cognitive science and social science. A pioneering achievement is Robot Suit HAL (Hybrid Assistive Limbs), which is the world’s first cyborg type robot that supports, enhances and strengthens the physical motion of human with the interaction between human and robot by detecting the weak bioelectrical signal through the body from the brain, which generates the nerve signal to control the musculoskeletal system. In this talk, I will deliver the outline of Cybernics and mention about clinical applications for stroke patients, SCI patients, and severe incurable disease such as Neuro-Muscular disease. And I will introduce some remarkable works including new applications of HAL and Vital Sensing System based on Cybernics technologies.