No, no, not that Cyberdyne that creates SkyNet and terminates the human race into near extinction. It’s a Japanese company that invented the HAL, or Hybrid Assistive Limb, a computerized robot suit with sensors that read brain signals directing limb movement through the skin.

A 22 pound battery operated computer system is equipped on the waist which powers the advanced exoskeleton’s mechanical limbs. Sensors capture brain signals and relay them to robotic parts such as leg braces attached to the thighs and knees. These parts then provide assistance to people as they perform actions such as walking or lifting.

The initial version will be for the legs only — a demo video showed a partially paralyzed person getting up from a chair and slowly walking in the HAL suit. Other videos have shown versions in which wearers of the suit can lift heavy objects.

Yoshiyuki Sankai, designer of HAL and chief executive of Cyberdyne, said a full device that covers the entire body will also be available, although there is no clear release date to the public yet. Sankai has refused requests from military entities to use the HAL and states that the technology is devoted to social welfare purposes only.

HAL is available in three sizes and will cost $2,200 per month to rent starting Friday. A one leg version is also available for $1,500 per month. There is no word when the suit will be available for ownership purchase.

The only thing we’re concerned about here at FutureNerd is if someone is carrying some ridiculously heavy object and then the HAL’s battery dies on him or her. Ouch. Better implement a battery warning signal.