Click on the image to see more pics of Honda's Walking Assist Device
While Honda is known primarily for its cars and motorcycles, the company's engineering prowess extends into many other areas, as well. You may be aware that Honda also makes a jet and the ridiculously advanced robot known as Asimo. It appears that after reliably getting Asimo to walk on its own, Honda is phasing some of its robotics technology into other worthwhile endeavors, namely an experimental walking assist device for disabled individuals. Honda's Fundamental Technology Research Center will be showcasing the device at the International Trade Fair on Barrier Free Equipments & Rehabilitation for the Elderly & the Disabled, which will be held at Intex Osaka, Friday, April 25 through Sunday, April 27, 2008. Available in three sizes, the device uses brushless DC motors powered by lithium ion batteries that allow up to two hours of walking assistance per charge. I'm just glad that my grandmother will soon be able to throw her old fashioned walker in the air, and wave it like she just don't care.
[source: Honda]
Honda to Showcase Experimental Walking Assist Device at BARRIER FREE 2008
TOKYO, Japan, April 22, 2008– Honda Motor Co., Ltd. will showcase an experimental model of a walking assist device which could support walking for the elderly and other people with weakened leg muscles(*), at the International Trade Fair on Barrier Free Equipments & Rehabilitation for the Elderly & the Disabled (BARRIER FREE 2008) which will be held at Intex Osaka, Friday, April 25 through Sunday, April 27, 2008 (Organizers: Osaka Prefecture Council of Social Welfare and Television Osaka Inc.)
Honda began research of a walking assist device in 1999 with a goal to provide more people with the joy of mobility. Currently, the device has entered into the feasibility stage.
The cooperative control technology utilized for this device is a unique Honda innovation achieved through the cumulative study of human walking just as the research and development of technologies was conducted for Honda's advanced humanoid robot, ASIMO. Applying cooperative control based on the information obtained from hip angle sensors, the motors provide optimal assistance based on a command from the control CPU. With this assist, the user's stride will be lengthened compared to the user's normal stride without the device and therefore the ease of walking is achieved.
The compact design of the device was achieved with flat brushless motors and a control system developed by Honda. In addition, a simple design to be worn with a belt around the hip and thigh was employed to help achieve overall weight as light as approximately 2.8kg. As a result, the device reduces the user's load and can be fit to different body shapes.
The research of this device is being conducted by the Fundamental Technology Research Center of Honda R&D Co., Ltd. in Wako, Saitama.
Honda is planning to offer interested attendees an opportunity to wear and experience this walking assist device at the Honda booth at BARRIER FREE 2008.
(*) This device is designed for people who are still capable of walking on their own.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
John Johnson @ Apr 22nd 2008 3:07PM
I like the 20L V10 better.
Seoultrain @ Apr 22nd 2008 3:07PM
hmm, doesn't seem like it deals with instability in the knee, which I would think is a pretty important issue with the elderly. Walkers are mainly for balance, right?
Seems like all it would do is enable perfectly healthy people to walk farther distances without getting tired (as pictured)
Matt @ Apr 23rd 2008 3:01PM
I wonder how much oil this thing will burn when the V-TEC goes.
UhHello4 @ Apr 22nd 2008 3:11PM
2 hours of walking time? If Granpma walks 2 hours she will need more than this! Is honda working on an artificial heart too?
rouse42 @ Apr 22nd 2008 3:12PM
Headphones for your hips.
where do you plug the ipod into. oh its built in.
Frank @ Apr 22nd 2008 3:13PM
Yea u wont even get two hours here in the states, americans are too fat. He cant weight more than a buck 30, tops.
LMBVette @ Apr 22nd 2008 3:14PM
I read the information and can't figure out how this thing is actually supposed to work.
Having worked as a Physical Therapist in my previous career, I fail to see any advantage this piece of equipment provides.
The typical person that uses a walker or cane does so because they have balance issues. They lean on the walker or cane when they lose their balance. Therefore, this machine will not be advantageous for this person.
Second, a person with weak leg muscles needs to strengthen them, not use an active/passive device to force them to move the joint. When you don't use the muscle you will lose strength and flexibility and whatever movements the muscle does will become more difficult. Full Range of Motion exercise is the key!
Other than the issues pointed out above...this piece of equipment sounds totally awesome!!! ;-)
tankd0g @ Apr 22nd 2008 3:20PM
It looks like all it does is assist in lifting the leg. I suppose you could put it on backwards to increase leg muscle strength :)
Shawn @ Apr 22nd 2008 3:22PM
...so if grandma falls, do her legs just keep on moving, spinning her in circles, ala Homer Simpson?
LMBVette @ Apr 22nd 2008 3:41PM
Edit: ...for somebody who suffers from paralysis due to a stroke or permanent injury, I could see this being beneficial.
@Shawn - I formed a mental picture of this as I read it and almost spit water out on my monitor. Thanks! ;-)
Kotse @ Apr 22nd 2008 6:16PM
Don't forget Honda...grandma/pops or the typical geriatric does not that have that good skin integrity no more.
I could see pressure points on that assistive walking device. Honda should consider the possibility of pressure sores, not even Stage 1 ("blanching" on vascular skin area, etc.) to happen on the contact areas...not to mention the usual suspects, on bony prominences. It ain't a joke to fix a decubitus nowadays!
Anthony @ Apr 26th 2008 8:13AM
On the contrary! I can walk quite well, but after just 300 yrds. I become extremely fatigued. It's arthritis in the hips. I have had a couple of accidents walking in the city, and falling forward and completely down. This Honda device would prevent this and help me overcome my pain!
tankd0g @ Apr 22nd 2008 3:22PM
These is some good kickin' pants.
Cameron @ Apr 22nd 2008 6:42PM
Nice!
FotoGenetix @ Apr 22nd 2008 3:22PM
where's the vtec for power walking?
Bryan Riddle @ Apr 22nd 2008 3:36PM
is that A-VTEC?... bummer...
Tom @ Apr 22nd 2008 3:38PM
I have a mental image of senior citizens buzzing around the mall with these things, wearing spoilers on their shoulders, Type-R decals on their foreheads and fart-can mufflers sticking out their a**es.
Benfolio @ Apr 22nd 2008 3:44PM
That HONDA emblazoned ass-pad is the perfect place to put a TYPE-R badge.
British_ROver @ Apr 22nd 2008 3:48PM
Where is the fart can muffler?
Jason @ Apr 22nd 2008 4:02PM
That's original.