FDA approves use of world’s first neuro controlled exoskeleton
Today millions of people in the world, for a variety of reasons, have trouble moving their bodies, but new brain controlled exoskeletons could help them regain their movement and rehabilitate them at the same time.
Cite or link to this article
Griffin, M. (2018) 'FDA approves use of world’s first neuro controlled exoskeleton', 311 Institute, 12 February. Available at: https://www.311institute.com/fda-approves-use-of-worlds-first-neuro-controlled-exoskeleton/ (Accessed: 1 October 2026).
People familiar with the Terminator series from the 1980’s and 1990’s will remember a little well-known company called Cyberdyne who stumbled upon some Terminator parts “from the future” and used them to create, well, a whole array of advanced robotics products in the present day. Now, a company of the same name in Japan, has just announced that it’s become the first robotics company to receive FDA approval for a new autonomous, brain controlled robotic human exoskeleton.
In today’s world the Cyberdyne Group is the company behind the “Cyberdyne HAL” which the company is calling “the world’s first robotic medical device,” and HAL, which is short for Hybrid Assistive Limb, is an exoskeleton that “enhances its users’ strength and stability."
Watch HAL In Action
HAL’s basically, for want of a better description, a brain controlled exoskeleton for a person’s lower torso that uses a network of “stick on” sensors that are attached to a patients legs that can detect the faint bio-electric signals sent from the patient’s brain to the muscles in their legs, which then triggers the HAL exoskeleton to move in the desired way.
HAL, which can be controlled both autonomously and manually, will now start taking its place in hospitals around the US to help rehabilitate patients who are unable to walk, and while it’s previously been marketed as a medical device within both Europe and Japan the FDA’s medical clearance in the US is now seen by many as validating the exoskeleton’s therapeutic effects, and as a consequence we can expect many more brain controlled Terminator inspired “robo” exoskeletons to follow its lead.
What this means for your organisation
Approval changes the market.
FDA clearance validates therapeutic use in the US. Hospitals, insurers and manufacturers should expect more devices to follow this route.
The control is the patient's own.
Stick on sensors read signals the brain sends to the legs, so the person drives the movement. That supports rehabilitation rather than replacing effort.
Workplaces come next.
Devices that enhance strength and stability have obvious uses beyond hospitals. Employers in physical sectors should watch for industrial versions.
Three questions for your next leadership meeting
- Could assisted movement shorten rehabilitation for our patients?
- Would exoskeletons reduce injury in our physical roles?
- How would insurers treat exoskeleton therapy?
The trends and technologies behind this story
From the 311 Starburst, the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit’s map of the technologies and trends shaping the next 50 years.
Analysis by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit, from Matthew Griffin’s article and 311 data. First published on Fanatical Futurist.
FAQ
Why does this matter?
Today millions of people in the world, for a variety of reasons, have trouble moving their bodies, but new brain controlled exoskeletons could help them regain their movement and rehabilitate them at the same time.
About the author
Matthew Griffin Founder, President and Futurist, 311 Institute
Matthew Griffin is a multi-award winning Futurist and expert in Disruption and Innovation, Geopolitics, Leadership, and Technology, who NASA have described as a "walking encyclopaedia of the future" and a "futurist Polymath."
Read full bio
Matthew Griffin is a multi-award winning Futurist and expert in Disruption and Innovation, Geopolitics, Leadership, and Technology, who NASA have described as a "walking encyclopaedia of the future" and a "futurist Polymath." 17-time best selling author of the "Codex of the Future" series, Matthew is the Founder, President and Futurist of the 311 Institute, a global Futures and Deep Futures advisory firm working with royal households, world leaders, G7, G20, and G77 governments, NGOs, and multi-national mid and mega cap firms to help them explore, shape, and lead the next 50 years of business and society.
An award-winning YouTube creator with over a million followers, with an unrivalled global reach and impact, Matthew is a highly sought-after international keynote speaker, lecturer, and mentor who collaborates with global leaders through the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) and United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) to shape pivotal initiatives such as the UN’s AI for Humanity program, the United Nations Conference of the Parties (UN COP), and the World Economic Forum in Davos.
As the former Global Head of Cloud, National Security, and Enterprise Sales for companies including Atos, Dell-EMC, and IBM, Matthew has a proven track record of building multi-billion dollar business units and turning failing divisions into market leaders. His ability to identify, analyse, and communicate the implications of hundreds of emerging technologies and trends is unparalleled, and his insights are trusted by many of the world’s most respected organisations, including ABB, Accenture, Adidas, AON, ARM, BCG, Centrica, Citi, Coca-Cola, Dentons, Deloitte, Dow Jones, EY, Google, KPMG, Lego, Legal & General, LinkedIn, Microsoft, PepsiCo, Qualcomm, RWE, Samsung, Siemens AG and Siemens Energy, T-Mobile, UBS, VISA, Walmart, Workday, Worldpay and many others.
Regularly featured in the global media including the AP, BBC, Bloomberg, CNBC, Discovery, Forbes, Khaleej Times, Telegraph, TIME, ViacomCBS, WIRED, and the WSJ, Matthews mission is to help organisations create a fair and sustainable future whose benefits are shared by everyone irrespective of their ability, background, or circumstances.
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Sources and further reading
- 171219 FDA ENG 1.pdf cyberdyne.jp
- English cyberdyne.jp
Source: first published by the 311 Institute on 12 February 2018. Cite as: Griffin, M. (2018). FDA approves use of world’s first neuro controlled exoskeleton. 311 Institute. https://www.311institute.com/fda-approves-use-of-worlds-first-neuro-controlled-exoskeleton/
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