I sent an email to the Director of the U.S. Military exoskeleton technology project. The original email was to request an interview investigating the feasibility of exoskeleton technology, combined with myoelectric control systems such as the HAL-5 and the varied prosthetic technologies that use myoelectric control systems.

Here is the email in it's entirety that I received from DARPA. My interview request was declined but they gave me the information I was looking for. I hope you find it as interesting as I did. I'll have more information about these questions and more in the near future.

Thank you for your email. We will not be able to do an interview, but I do have some information that you might find useful.

We are not currently pursuing combining exoskeleton technology and electrical stimulation as an option for disabled persons. Our focus for the exoskeleton program is the development of an exoskeleton system for Soldiers that would allow them to carry more weight without fatigue, so
we are not looking at its applicability for the disabled. The bexoskeleton system now under development uses a control system that closely follows the natural movements of the operator. It is not using myoelectric control and will only work if the operator can himself make the walking or lifting motions desired.

In addition to the exoskeleton program, DARPA is also embarking on an ambitious program to develop a new upper extremity prosthesis.

This prosthesis will use high-fidelity neural signals for control rather than the current myoelectric strategy now employed for prosthetic devices. While our focus in this program is on a revolutionary advancement in prosthetics, we would expect that the research would also have implications for other medical applications, perhaps to include the use
of neural control to assist the disabled. Our program will deliver a prototype device for human clinical trials in 2009. You should contact our contractor Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory at that time to discuss whether they are planning any other applications for the technology.

I hope this information is helpful!

Jan Walker - Darpa

Michael Jeremiasz has been dethroned as the reigning king of wheelchair tennis. The Frenchman, after thirteen consecutive months as #1, had a miserable outing at this years U.S. Open, losing in the semi final match to Japan's, and then World's #4 Shingo Kunieda. Mr. Jeremiasz did, however, have a brilliant year, going 40 and 7 in singles, 31 and 1 in doubles, and winning 8 tournaments in either singles, doubles or both.

Shingo has had quite a bit of success against the Athen's bronze medalist, beating him in their previous final meeting, 6-2, 6-1 in the Japan Open, and while partnering with his countryman Satoshi Saida has won 4 doubles titles against him and his partners.

His overall record is excellent as well, reflected by his status as World's #1, 36 and 5 in singles, 30 and 5 doubles, 8 singles titles and 6 in doubles. Remarkable numbers for him, but understandable, he has been playing chair tennis 11 of his 22 years of age.

He is travelling in the treads of some very big wheels, before Jeremiasz sits the nearly omnipotent David Hall. Shingo's talent is very promising, but between those two ambassadors of the game he has a long way to roll. The first test of his month long reign will be the NEC Masters, held this month in Amsterdam. Coincidentally, last year's event was won by the then one month long #1 Michael Jeremiasz.

Correction! Michael lost!