Robot suit, early vacuum flask make Japan's technology heritage list

A wearable robot suit and an early stainless steel vacuum flask have been added to Japan's technology heritage list, bringing the total number of registered items to 408, according to the National Museum of Nature and Science in Tokyo. The robot suit, named HAL-3, was developed in 2001 by the University of Tsukuba's Cybernics Laboratory and uses electrical signals from the body to assist movement.

The compact design made it suitable for outdoor use, marking a significant step towards practical devices that support or augment physical functions. The Act Stainless Pot, a lightweight and unbreakable vacuum flask, was introduced in 1978 by Nippon Sanso Ltd., the predecessor of Nippon Sanso Holdings Corp. It spurred other companies to join the market and led to the widespread use of reusable personal bottles in Japan.

Additionally, machinery used to manufacture double-walled glass vacuum flasks, still in operation at a Zojirushi Factory Japan Co. plant in Osaka, was also added to the registry. This machinery represents the only such operating equipment in Japan. Recognized as the Essential Historical Materials for Science and Technology, the registry, often referred to as the Future Technology Heritage program in Japan, honors artifacts that showcase unique Japanese advancements in science and technology or that have contributed to Japan's global reputation.