Robotic Suit Grants Superhuman Strength, Possibly Revolutionizes… Radish Farming?

You may have heard about Shigeki Toyama and his Power Assist Suit before. Of course, there’s every likelihood you haven’t. Let’s rap about it, let me break it down.

The PAS is a tool developed by Toyama and his students at the Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, and when I say developed, I mean years – last time I saw this thing on the internet was circa 2006.

But now, Toyama and his team are ready to have this bad boy (or girl?) manufactured, and it’s going to be available for purchase in Japan by 2012 for a cool $11000.

What does it do? Why, turns you into a superhuman, of course. The suit increases the wearer’s natural strength by approximately 60%, allowing heavy loads to be lifted while the wearer does little more than throw his or her head back and laugh. Perhaps student Gohei Yamamoto puts it best. Take it away, Gohei!

“If the farmer bends over to grasp a radish, his back will be firmly supported. A brief vocal instruction will instantly straighten the rods along his legs, giving him the power he needs to pull the vegetable without effort.”

Voice activated. Slick. Grasping radishes will never be the same.

But don’t get all choked up with glee just yet – Toyama’s not planning to export this robotic terror as of this very moment. Then again, if you’re reading this from Japan, continue with your glee-choking, and make sure your radish patch is good to go.

[Via Dvice]