Honda to show off experimental "walking assist device"
By Donald Melanson 
posted April 22nd 2008 4:37PM
posted April 22nd 2008 4:37PM
It's far from the only strength-boosting exoskeleton out there, but Honda's so-called "walking assist device" is one of the few that you can actually take for a test spin -- if you happen to be attending the Barrier Free 2008 trade show in Osaka, Japan next week, that is. Apparently employing some of the same technology developed by Honda for its ASIMO robot, the walking assistant is able to obtain information from hip angle sensors to help keep its wearer upright, with the device's motors also able to increase the wearer's natural stride. That, Honda says, should make the device ideal for the elderly or those with weakened leg muscles, although we're sure they could find at least a few other buyers if it ever actually hits the market at a reasonable price.
[Via Autoblog]
[Via Autoblog]
What a W.A.D. of crap.
oh yeah I went there
W.A.D.??? You mean it can play Doom???
Please vote me down now...
what does w.a.d. stand for?
you went nowhere
@Micanos:
See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WAD_file
For the purposes of this conversation; however, WAD more precisely means "Walking Assist Device."
@itlnstln
Thank you for being the only one who picked that up.
And when the batteries cut out... face plant!
I need one of these for my Grandma, like, yesterday...
I say make it the opposite - put in resistors and allow it to be slimmer and worn under clothing to create electricity (and provide a little more workout than just walking from the added resistance) and charge up batteries, or use it to power radios, cellphones, etc.
Um, that'd be a generator. Why don't we just employ people to sit on exercise bikes all day and generate electricity? That would be far more efficient than capturing "free energy" from walking motions....of course neither make economic sense.
I disagree - capturing the energy of motion when you already have to walk from place to place would be a great boon. Especially for hikers or bikers who are way off the beaten path and may want to use something like GPS or a Cell/Sat phone for navigation or emergencies. There is already a large market for small and portable generation devices in Africa and many emerging countries to charge cell phones (mainly solar currently)
http://www.neatorama.com/2007/10/10/donkey-and-solar-powered-mobile-cellphone-charging-station/
Not to mention the hand crank radios which need no batteries.
yea that would be bomb and if no one knew you where wearing it, it would be even better. then you just need it to charge with out a cord and BOOM you have THE perfect machine (no AI involved).
ok well maybe not the perfect machine but it would still be pretty kool to have your phone charging while walking down the street and getting more of a work out than just a normal walk.
Like human hampsters... http://www.cherryflava.com/cherryflava/2007/03/gym_powered_by_.html
@Neal
You're not considering this from an energy and power standpoint.
I fully agree that in emergency cases or isolated areas, generators of any type are a good idea. But the cost to create a device that generates such little power is not practical. If someone is walking or biking to work out, yes, you can gain "extra" energy to charge a cellphone or charge a battery....but the energy gained is so small compared to the total energy the average person consumes in a day.
So much energy is lost in the inefficiency of current devices. THIS is where advances in marginal energy benefit makes the most sense.
For those of us who actually do go hiking and mountaineering we've been employing an ingenious solution that doesn't result in vastly accelerated fatigue it's code named: bring extra batteries. It's been years in development but is almost ready for prime time and it's going to revolutionize mobile power.
It weighs only a handful of ounces and 'recharges' our devices in seconds with minimal caloric expenditure.
This reminds me of another prototype that would allow people to pick up a lot of weight, it's called HAL(Hybrid Assistive Limb)(I know reminds me of the famous computer from 2001: A Space Odyssey :P lol)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ynL8BCXih8U
I wonder what happens when VTEC kicks in.....any car guys notice the Type R stitching on the a$$ part??
Hopefully they offer HIDs and coffee can exhaust mods!
/fingers crossed
http://www.encyclopediadramatica.com/Image:Vtecdriver.jpg
Vtec just kicked in yo!!
VTEC kicks in at 12m/s. =P
VTEC JUST KICKED IN YO!
If this comes out in X-Large it will be a hit here in America.
Did you mean XXXX large ?
Wait so I still have to move my arms by myself? Crap.
I wonder if people were just quick to proclaim the laziness of the general public when the motorized wheelchair was invented.
Wheelchairs were invented for the handicapped, not for people that can walk.
I wonder if these would be used at retail stores.. you know, to make sure your walking the required amount during your shift.. ha! ..
Imagine the fun if it had a remote control hookup.
Wouldn't this ultimately make the people using it... weaker... as they'll be using less muscle to travel the same distance? This sounds like a terrible idea for elderly people!
I like the resistive motion idea... sounds safer than ankle weights for a better running workout, lol.
What are your thoughts on wheel chairs and walkers?
Haha, the guy below you really got you. When I was sitting at the waiting room at a local clinic, I saw a little old lady who had just been called by the nurse. The time it took for her to go from a sitting position to a standing one took around 7 to 8 seconds with help from her daughter. There was no way she could have stood up on her own. I remember thinking to myself that I'd rather be dead before I got so helpless. I'm sure that inventions such as these will make life better for senior citizens such as her and perhaps myself, many years later.
So you are pitching for suicide machines I guess huh.
Don't you mean the "Assimove" technology?
i see what you did there
"Apparently employing some of the same technology developed by Honda for its ASMIO robot..."
Its actually "ASIMO"... and the technology is incredible!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_PMw023nS48
*Disclaimer: Do not use on stairs.
ASIMO stands for Advanced Stepping Innovative MObility
Walking Assist
+
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q9V4CT8s2ac
=
???
Help, I can't turn it off.
holy shit, its become self aware
Is this a step forward in making Full ROBO COP Suites?!? ME LIKE!
All i picture from this is him walking like robo cop and singing in his head
(Do dee doo dooo dooo doo deedoo dooo; the robocop theme.)
It disgusts me that some people are bashing new technology like this. This is a really neat and innovative solution to a huge problem. If I were a senior with mobility problems or someone with severe muscular distrophy this would be a godsend. This could provide independence to people who may desperately need it. granted I am sure it will not be affordable for many many years, perhaps never.
There are bigger fish to fry, but this is a very well intended invention.
Some things are more useful to society than new high definition technology (there is a time and a place though).
what do you mean IF I were.........
you should have said WHEN I am a senior. Just a matter of time :P
Of questionable value...yet far better looking than the new Pilot (ugh).
They should market it towards lazy people: "Does the distance from the coach to the fridge seem too far. Here is a device that will make the trips for another beer seem like a breeze"
wait.. didnt ASIMO eat it on some stairs .. i would hate to have this thing help me walk
I wonder what else do they have in Barrier Free show in Osaka?
"That, Honda says, should make the device ideal for the elderly or those with weakened leg muscles."
[edit]
"That is until it starts to snap hip sockets and thigh bones, rendering the user permanently immbolized."
I want one.. maybe could program it to give me a gangsta swagger rather than my hunched geeky hobble..
Seriously though, brilliant stuff, I hope it has no wireless capability - you can imagine the chaos if hacked.... you could execute some of ur own code... MAKE THE OLD PPL DANCE!!~!!1
The ministry of silly walks will legislate this out of existence...
Thanks for posting. Seems ridiculous to me... if interested, I featured this story on my blog: http://lowtechtimes.com/2008/04/22/walking-assistance-device-seems-ridiculous/
If this came from America it'd have guns n stuff mounted on the side. That Exo skelly they mentioned. Another killing product by Ameicans. Invest your money like the Japanese and help benefit al the people of the world by technology like this. A fantastic stepping stone, I'm sure the final product will foster into something amazing.
I don't worry of all that Doom stuff, my question is "Can it make me do the Moonwalk?"