Simple way to overcome this is to have a toggle with three modes of arm operation: 1. Manual put into position, so you use your human arm to drag the robot arm to where it is mean to hold, then lock into position 2. lock, where the arm stays in the position it is last orientated, with all joints and rotation immobile (including claw) 3. Mimic, where sensors on real arms dictate movement, and the robot arm follows.
An independent toggle for each arm between the three states will likely provide 99% of all requirements.
Autonomous movement is fraught with danger as it relies on contextual understanding of what is going on, and likely going to end up hurting the end user (flailing robot arms anyone?). With the obvious exception of multipurpose heads, like mechanical screwdrivers and cutting tools that are moved through mode (3), and their function started by voice command, e.g. "left hand, screwdriver, clockwise, start"

Haven't any of these engineers ever read a Spiderman comic? This is not going to end well.

This could be awesome once mind control is added. I have often argued long hand hard that If I could have one thing extra it would be a Tail ... with a hand attached. This could be the next best thing.

ummm.... you need to make it thought controlled! I'm too lazy to have to teach a robot to do what I need, figure out how to make it thought controlled and you have a winner...
If other scientist can figure out how to get a robotic prosthetic arm to move by thought, I think MIT can figure it out also...

Umm.. Yes, it is cool. Very cool. But essentially impractical. That's a lot of hardware to strap on, walk around in, and maintain.
How is this more efficient than using a climbing belt to hang from something or using an extension pole with a flat hunk of wood screwed to it to brace an overhead panel?
Maneuvering around a working office space in that rig would be awkward. Wearing a tool belt and carrying a pole is much easier and less disruptive.

i'm left wondering where is the spiderman technology in this. should this guy have gecko pads and be shooting quick dry gluesilk out of his mouth or something?

I saw something similar in a cartoon when I was a kid. Exo suits could make one guy fly another, another roll and another swim underwater. cool stuff. I hope this tech get perfected. it will make projects easier to do.

Come on Zevulon, they're talking about "Doc Oc". I think this is a super cool idea. However, I agree with others who have mentioned a more direct control of the arms might be better. A neural link between the user and the interface would make this one of the coolest things I've ever seen! I guess it didn't work out well for the doctor though...

This is not Spider Tech for it really is Octopus Technology, although it really needs more than two additional arms; maybe 4, 6, or 12 additional arms. How about 2, 4, 6 or 12 additional legs to help climb, run or leap better. The military would love to have soldiers who can carry, lift and shoot more. In construction one would have to put up 4x8 foot sheets of dry wall, but in the video it shows a person holding up a small sheet of plastic; not great feat there. Although, every journey begins with a single step. We are definitely entering into the age of Robotics.

The human skeleton is only so strong would it be able to stand the strain????