Honda unveils wearable walking device

[The Canadian]

A researcher shows off the

assisted-walking gadget from Honda

in Tokyo on Friday.

(Katsumi Kasahara/Associated Press)

Imagine a bicycle seat connected by mechanical frames to a pair of shoes for an idea of how the new wearable assisted-walking gadget from Honda works.

The experimental device, unveiled Friday in Tokyo, is designed to support body weight, reduce stress on the knees and help people get up steps and stay in crouching positions.

Honda envisions the device being used by workers at auto or other factories. It showed a video of Honda employees wearing the device and bending to peer underneath vehicles on an assembly line.

Engineer Jun Ashihara also said the machine is useful for people standing in long lines and who run around to make deliveries.

"This should be as easy to use as a bicycle," Ashihara said at Honda's Tokyo headquarters. "It reduces stress, and you should feel less tired."

To wear it, you put the seat between your legs, put on the shoes and push the on button. Then just start walking around.

The system has a computer, motor, gears, battery and sensors embedded in it so it responds to a person's movements, according to Honda Motor Co.

Pricing and commercial product plans are still undecided. Japan's No. 2 automaker will begin testing a prototype with its assembly line workers later this month for feedback.

The need for such mechanical help is expected to grow in Japan, which has one of the most rapidly aging societies in the world.

Another device to help people walk reads brain signals

Other companies are also eyeing the potentially lucrative market of helping the weak and old get around. Japan is among the world's leading nations in robotics technology, not only for industrial use but also for entertainment and companionship.

Earlier this year, Japanese rival Toyota Motor Corp. showed a Segway-like ride it said was meant for old people.

Japanese robot company Cyberdyne has begun renting out in Japan a belted device called HAL, for "hybrid assistive limb," that reads brain signals to help people move about with mechanical leg braces that strap to the legs.

Honda has shown a similar but simpler belted device. It has motors on the left and right, which hook up to frames that strap at the thighs, helping the walker maintain a proper stride.

That device, being tested at one Japanese facility, helps rehabilitation programs for people who are disabled, encouraging them to take steps, said Honda official Kiyoshi Aikawa.

Honda has been carrying out research into mobility for more than a decade, introducing the Asimo humanoid in 2000.

Source: cbcnews.ca

[Green_Eye]

wow that's genius...

Kudos to Honda (Y)

[Lechio]

Should be of great help for the disabled, when this kind of devices evolute and are made available for the general public.

[Napalm Frog]

Yeah, the uses for this thing is rather astonishing. However, it look a little, umm, uncomfy...

[Yusuf M. Veteran]

This should greatly improve rehabilitation for people who need to learn how to walk again. Good job Honda! (Y)

[AbandonedTrolley]

The need for such mechanical help is expected to grow in Japan, which has one of the most rapidly aging societies in the world.

Do people age faster in Japan then, thought they would have aged at the same speed as every other society :D

[aussiefloyd_fan]

isnt this just an uuber expensive segwey?

[Lechio]

Do people age faster in Japan then, thought they would have aged at the same speed as every other society :D

They live longer than others, so the population (in general) is getting old.

[SMELTN]

really cool..

[bobbytomorow]

Man I so want one of these. I will never have to walk again.

[ATGC]

From Honda's News Website: http://world.honda.com/news/2008/c081107Wa...-Assist-Device/

[Nicholas-c Veteran]

isnt this just an uuber expensive segwey?

mmm not really, this doesn't do the movement for you, you still have to move your legs a little.

[Christopher]

It really does look awkward. But, if it works, it works.

[The Rev]

*Whaps Honda* YOU MAKE CARS, STUPID! :p hehe..... good invention tho.

[Tech Star]

Now all they need to do is pop in some Nike's on and America will buy them. :p

Congrats Honda, you made a great innovation for disabled people that want to walk again. :)

[+Elі Subscriber²]

I was watching this on the news this morning it really does seem like taken from a Sci-Fi movie, really innovative though, hopefully it will actually be useful to millions of people with disabilities, good job Honda.

[Berserk87]

screw disabled people...i want one that lets me run 40km/h.

if they could do that i would run to work everyday. cars would start disappearing.

[gor]

I imagine this device would be a health hazard in scenarios in which because of one's mechanical support from pelvis down the prolonged duration of physical stress on the spine is greatly increased...