Exoskeleton for farmers

Megan says: "Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology researchers developed an exoskeleton to help aging farmers perform manual tasks." Link

[#1 posted by Sam , January 15, 2008 3:41 PM]

Tyj for the Japanese. Though I've seen this before somewhere. Oh yeah, for helping soldiers huge load boxes of bullets to kill people with.

[#2 posted by Takuan , January 15, 2008 3:46 PM]

you mean General Electric's Hardiman?

http://davidszondy.com/future/robot/hardiman.htm

[#3 posted by Antinous , January 15, 2008 4:26 PM]

I'd rather have Ripley's loader.

[#4 posted by EdT. , January 15, 2008 4:26 PM]

"It's the wrong trousers Gromit, and they've gone wrong!"

Black and white chicken wanted for questioning...

[#5 posted by catcubed , January 15, 2008 4:35 PM]

It'd be cheaper and easier to just hire an illegal immigrant.

[#6 posted by Takuan , January 15, 2008 4:40 PM]

in Japan? All foreigners are illegal.

[#7 posted by Teresa Nielsen Hayden / Moderator , January 15, 2008 4:43 PM]

You're all young, right? This is brilliant. This is exactly what I've been waiting and hoping for. I want one. I want it I want it I want it.

[#8 posted by Takuan , January 15, 2008 5:00 PM]

Very well Cadet Teresa, we'll have you fighting Bugs in no time.

[#9 posted by Stefan Jones , January 15, 2008 5:13 PM]

Urban gardeners are always fighting bugs, Takuan.

But now she can hurl them into the Gowanus Canal.

[#10 posted by stratosfyr , January 15, 2008 5:27 PM]

I hope they export these things. For $2000?

After what I went through to move my washer and dryer just a few feet so I could fix the floor... and then seeing the poor delivery guys actually carrying washers and dryers up and down the stairs... Clearly this is a must for everyone.

[#11 posted by Crash , January 15, 2008 7:11 PM]

Teresa, you've made me realize something. I had always assumed that what people would want, as they grew older and less mobile, is robots to do things for them -- tend the garden, clean the house, haul in the groceries. Just now I have flashed on to how awful that would really be, and how much more we need mechanicals that help us do things for ourselves, even if they would superficially seem menial and tedious.

[#12 posted by Umbriel , January 15, 2008 7:16 PM]

And if some young punk harasses her while she's gardening, she can also throw them into the Gowanus Canal.

[#13 posted by dculberson , January 15, 2008 8:04 PM]

Granny goes nuts with her exoskeleton:

Get on my lawn! I dare you! I double dare you!! Step on my lawn one more g-d time!

[#14 posted by DGHilton , January 15, 2008 8:38 PM]

Soon, very soon, the organic host won't even be required. And the next one will be from Toyota (and you'll just have to plug it it, like this hybrid):

http://www.hiltonjapan.com/2008/01/toyotas-plug-in-hybrid-due-by-2010.html

[#15 posted by Cherrita , January 16, 2008 1:55 AM]

I don´t understand.
Probably it is because I am nor aging farmer.
I am farmer and I don´t understand.

[#16 posted by Idle Tuesday , January 16, 2008 3:46 AM]

I'm not a farmer.
I'm not that old (40).
But hot damn, I want one of these bad boys.

PS, Comment #13 almost made me snorf my tea (ouch, and it's hot!).

[#17 posted by Strange Quark Star , January 16, 2008 5:08 AM]

But I thought the Japanese Agriculture Mininstry was not in charge of Gundam.

[#18 posted by Patrick Austin , January 16, 2008 6:46 AM]

Given how far in debt most American farmers are, this is great. It'll help keep them working on paying off those loans well into their 80's. Yay, technology!

[#19 posted by MarlboroTestMonkey7 , January 16, 2008 8:47 AM]

Coupled with a BFG, I'd would lay waste to this level.

[#20 posted by Kickyfast , January 16, 2008 1:21 PM]

Hmm, what interesting permutations pervasive cultural xenophobia provides!

[#21 posted by Jeff , January 17, 2008 7:01 AM]

We maked you a robot,
but it eated you.

Poor ol' farmer.