As I mentioned earlier, Honda is in town to demo their two walking assist devices for the first time in the US. I was given the opportunity to test both models out in midtown Manhattan this afternoon. The applications for both models are pretty obvious and Honda has been testing the Bodyweight Support Assist at their Saitama factory since November of last year.
They both offer a surprising amount of support while walking, crouching and traversing stairs. The BSA is pretty awkward at first but you get used to it after a few seconds. Yes, I’m staring at my crotch more than usual and duck walking, but it’s a bit strange to have something between your legs while you’re trying to walk.
What you won’t see in the video is how to get the device on. It comes with shoes that are attached to the legs that, you know, you put on. There are two switches on each thigh section of the legs that you switch on and then you pull up the saddle between your legs and off you go. I won’t lie, it’s a little awkward, but you get used to it. It’s also surprisingly lightweight at around 6.5 lbs.
You may or may not notice the similarities between the movement of the device and ASIMO, but it’s no coincidence. That little robot is going to save the world!
The Stride Management Assist is less awkward to maneuver with and you can really feel the support in the lower back and at the points of contact on your hamstring. The motors really whirled when going up the stairs, but wasn’t as noticeable when going down. The engineers behind the assist devices told me that support is very subtle when walking down steps so that your natural movement isn’t thrown off.
Because both models are prototypes there are some limitations on who can use them at the moment. They can accommodate persons of height up to 6′2″, shoe size of 8-11 for men/9.5 – 12.5 for women and weight up to 220 lbs.
I’m still trying to digest what I just went through and I’ll have the presentation from the brains behind the project up shortly as well. The last two slides are very brief overviews of each device. Here’s a little nugget of knowledge about the walking assist devices that you probably didn’t know: over 30 prototypes have been built in the last decade.
Check back soon for the full presentation. And here’s the entire presentation including the Q&A.
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how long before this thing becomes sentient and starts making it’s users search for sarah connor?
wow.
as if being lazy and fat in front of your computer and tv wasn’t enough, now you can remove all energy expenditure and let some device do the walking for you.
Yeah, it would be bad for fat people to use this and get fatter, but imagine what this could do for people who have been stuck in wheelchairs because of things like cerebral palsy or other medical conditions that cause a person to be kept in a wheelchair. I can’t wait to see this on the market.
With an aging father who’s suffering from Phlebitis and has limited mobility without pain, as well as a step-mother who’s mobility is impaired due to massive strokes, I would LOVE to see these things hit the market!!
Granted, won’t be in time for my dad and his wife, I hope it’s there for me when I’m old an having a tough time moving as I can now.
Should be a huge hit with the couch potato, WOW crowd.
Isn’t the world fat enough?
That’s what some people said right after automobile was invented.
Think of much bigger applications of this rather than just walking from couch to TV.
Yes it’s not just about walking from the couch to the TV – that’s what your remote control is for.
Think bigger – this is about walking from the couch to the fridge.
This isn’t meant for lazy people!
Japan has a rapidly aging population, and they have been focusing R&D on products that will help with their quality of life. This is one of those products. Older people who cannot walk may be now be able to get around with the help of devices such as this. This helps reduce the burden of an aging population on family members, and the country’s health care system.
That’s right, Ryan. Honda didn’t make this for people to be lazy. Where do you people get these outlandish ideas? It’s also targeted at folks who have to be on their feet or constantly crouching like the Honda car factory inspectors. The video of the presentation is still being created in iMovie, so hang tight.
I guess it’s also for people like me, reading too much TC and thus have forgotten hoe to walk.
This doesn’t look as cool as the HULC from Lockheed Martin.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZ_qR8zCLDc
It so needs bernie clifton to test it out !
http://www.notbbc.co.uk/images/giggle_library/dir_0/notbbc_39_19.jpg
It’s for the elderly, and probably also for people whose jobs require them to be on their feet carrying heavy things around all day.
Yes, jobs like that still exist.
I was very much waiting for him to be like “Okay, I can walk now.” and then go for the SUPER JUMP function and just leap 10 or so feet in the air.
That’s really what this is for, right?
Cyberdyne is already renting (and soon to be selling) an exoskeleton in Japan. See,
http://smart-machines.blogspot.com/2008/10/hal-exoskeleton-available-for-renting.html
Hmm could be of use for people with disabilities who use wheelchairs or even as an emergency evacuation tool to assist those helping disabled people to evacuate a building, when you can’t use a lift…lot’s of potential methinks…still quicker and cheaper than waiting for “stem cell” engineering!!
First thing I thought was possible military & labor applications.
Second, was disability, not necessarily just elderly though. I was thinking later versions could be developed as replacement limbs.
Looking forward to hearing more…
Beleive it or not, my 89 year old mom is too vain to use a cane to walk; she definitely wouldn’t put something on that touches her private areas. My initial impression, outside of the obvious medical application, was for recreation. Walking much longer distances than normally possible unassisted. Hiking assistance (for those of us who are not built physically to do that easily.) Attach a GPS and I’m sold.
My son-in-law is 30 and has mild cerebral palsy that affects his walking and balance. I would love to know how to get one of these and have it tested on him. What a wonderful alternative to wheelchairs!
Interesting and probably a big development but still nothing spectacular, for now all trial and error stuff
I have “Inclusion Body Myositis”. I can walk with difficulty. Falling is a problem. I can not get up. Can this device help me.
Yes Ronald it can help. Our government engineers have included an automatic activation button that when verticle postion is comprimised, activates a 120 db alarm that shouts in 76 languages “Help, I’ve fallen and I can’t get up!”
Just a short 10 yrs. ago, I would have hunted you down and broke several important bones in your sorry body. Other than that, thanks for the feedback, mole.
I am 35, 5′10″, size 10 and 1/2 shoe and am mobily disabled, so a perfect candidate for the Bodyweight Support Assist, who do I contact to get involved in a trail?
When will this be available as my mom has real trouble walking and she is not FAT! Hopefully soon .
I have MS. I have trouble walking, balance.
My I test drive your Honda stride management
assist? If not, where can I purchase one. I go to REHAB in San Angelo, TX, Many patients have the same proble. I’m sure they will be interested also.
My husband had a stroke in 2006. He can walk but his right side is weak and he needs some assistance. I am very interested in th Stride management assist by Honda. Can you help me?
My daughter has a brain injury and would like to walk normally. She can walk but is very slow and uses a walker. How can we try this thing out?