Walking device from Honda

[John1]

From today's Globe and Mail, it looks likes things are starting to move in Japan with automated walking assistance. Cyberdyne's HAL-5 looked promising a few years ago with their exoskelton but development slowed to a snail's pace when the inventor turned down external funding when the enterprise had reached a stage where a larger company was needed with research funds in hand. It is now producing suits but well behing schedule, only a few hundred a year, only in Japan and at a breathtaking lease price.

Honda has developed a simpler, although probably less useful, device for specialized labour situations and for the disabled. As well Toyota is working on something. With these two giants involved I suspect the next generation of PALS will have alternatives to scooters and wheelchairs.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20081107.whondagadget1107/BNStory/Technology/home

 

[CindyM]

Thanks for sharing this news, John. Sounds promising.

 

[DeeMichelle]

Yeh thanks I saw these in the news in the UK too. Looks like you'd need to still have a lot of upper body strength, but encouraging.
Take Care
Donna

 

[brookgolf]

making progress

Sounds like they are making progress on this

 

[Al]

Wonder if the ALS Society or ALSA/MDA will have them in the loan closet?

AL.

 

[Omar]

Wow John, that's very interesting, I think it will work for Pals who have difficulties walking.

 

[vickster]

Honda walking assist update & video

A link with an update and video for the Honda walking assist device:

http://news.sawf.org/Lifestyle/57697.aspx

 

[John1]

Thanks Vickster. It looks like this technology is getting quite close to market. I can see the "stride management assist" prolonging walking for PALS for a year or two.

 

[rocmg]

fabulous! then when the cure comes along, muscle strength will be better maintained which means less time in physio for PALS...

wishful thinking, perhaps, but there's always reason to hope!