PETALING JAYA: The Human Resources Ministry has finalised a rental agreement for 50 sets of Hybrid Assistive Limb (HAL) robotic suits through the Social Security Organisation (Socso).
"The addition of 50 HAL sets, valued at RM20.5mil (USD4.357mil) compared to the market price of RM24.8mil (USD 5.26mil), will be utilised at the National Neuro-Robotics and Cybernetics Rehabilitation Center in Meru, Ipoh, which will open soon," said Human Resources Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong.
Moreover, the collaboration with Cyberdyne Inc. has brought added value, as Malaysia will receive eight new technologies that are not yet used in any other country through Socso.
“The added value of these eight new technologies will significantly enhance the inclusiveness of Malaysia’s social security protection dynamics, in line with improving local workforce efficiency and expertise.
“In addition to the five-year rental cost reduction, the Human Resources Ministry has sealed a collaboration between Socso, Cyberdyne Inc., and the University of Tsukuba to boost human resource development and robotics skills,” he said.
The ministry also managed to secure a 20% cost saving compared to current market prices for renting the Hybrid Assistive Limb (HAL) robotic suits during their inaugural visit to Japan from May 22 to 28.
