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Soon, lightweight robot suits to offer relief to nuclear workers in Japan
A Japanese firm has launched a robot suit that would help nuclear workers weighed down by heavy anti-radiation vests in contaminated zones.
Cyberdyne demonstrated an upgraded version of the robot device called the Hybrid Assistive Limb, or HAL, that can be worn under anti-radiation tungsten vests as heavy as 60 kilograms.
While the lightweight Tyvek protective outfits can provide a barrier against radioactive materials, they are not effective in blocking radiation itself.
Vests made of tungsten can block radiation but are very heavy, making it difficult for workers to take on long shifts at highly contaminated sites, the Herald Sun reported.
The company wrote in a statement saying, “This new type of HAL robot suit supports the weight of tungsten-made protective clothing and enables their wearers to work on the site without feeling the burden.”
“It is hoped that this will reduce risks of working under harsh environments and contribute to early restoration operations by humans in the wake of disasters,” it added.
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