Honda to show off experimental "walking assist device"

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]

[Matt @ Apr 22nd 2008 4:42PM]

What a W.A.D. of crap.

oh yeah I went there

[itlnstln @ Apr 22nd 2008 5:07PM]

W.A.D.??? You mean it can play Doom???


Please vote me down now...

[Micanos @ Apr 22nd 2008 5:08PM]

what does w.a.d. stand for?

[phanbouy @ Apr 22nd 2008 5:09PM]

you went nowhere

[itlnstln @ Apr 22nd 2008 5:50PM]

@Micanos:

See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WAD_file

For the purposes of this conversation; however, WAD more precisely means "Walking Assist Device."

[Matt @ Apr 23rd 2008 10:30PM]

@itlnstln

Thank you for being the only one who picked that up.

[TIMMAH! @ Apr 22nd 2008 4:45PM]

And when the batteries cut out... face plant!

[Darkroom @ Apr 22nd 2008 4:45PM]

can it make me walk more fierce? *snap*

[uclatommy @ Apr 22nd 2008 5:33PM]

Walking Assist
+
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q9V4CT8s2ac
=
???

[Neal @ Apr 22nd 2008 4:48PM]

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.

[looseinthedeuce @ Apr 22nd 2008 5:03PM]

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.

[Neal @ Apr 22nd 2008 5:08PM]

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.

[Ian @ Apr 22nd 2008 5:30PM]

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.

[corystal @ Apr 22nd 2008 7:10PM]

Like human hampsters... http://www.cherryflava.com/cherryflava/2007/03/gym_powered_by_.html

[looseinthedeuce @ Apr 23rd 2008 9:12AM]

@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.

[Gavin Greenwalt @ Jun 30th 2008 6:01PM]

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.

[jay.viz @ Apr 22nd 2008 4:48PM]

I need one of these for my Grandma, like, yesterday...

[Jake E. @ Apr 22nd 2008 4:53PM]

If this comes out in X-Large it will be a hit here in America.

[Wisam @ Apr 22nd 2008 7:21PM]

Did you mean XXXX large ?

[ChuChu @ Apr 22nd 2008 4:54PM]

Wait so I still have to move my arms by myself? Crap.

[Derbeste @ Apr 22nd 2008 5:12PM]

I wonder if people were just quick to proclaim the laziness of the general public when the motorized wheelchair was invented.

[Wwhat @ Apr 23rd 2008 4:52PM]

Wheelchairs were invented for the handicapped, not for people that can walk.

[kultyper @ Apr 22nd 2008 4:55PM]

I wonder what happens when VTEC kicks in.....any car guys notice the Type R stitching on the a$$ part??

[ChuChu @ Apr 22nd 2008 5:00PM]

Hopefully they offer HIDs and coffee can exhaust mods!

/fingers crossed

[Seanross @ Apr 22nd 2008 8:12PM]

http://www.encyclopediadramatica.com/Image:Vtecdriver.jpg

Vtec just kicked in yo!!

[silvadragon @ Apr 23rd 2008 5:43AM]

VTEC kicks in at 12m/s. =P

VTEC JUST KICKED IN YO!

[JX @ Apr 22nd 2008 5:00PM]

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

[Johan S @ Apr 22nd 2008 5:01PM]

Imagine the fun if it had a remote control hookup.

[Stef_ @ Apr 22nd 2008 5:01PM]

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.

[Derbeste @ Apr 22nd 2008 5:13PM]

What are your thoughts on wheel chairs and walkers?

[Jkswiss @ Apr 22nd 2008 5:25PM]

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.

[Wwhat @ Apr 23rd 2008 4:54PM]

So you are pitching for suicide machines I guess huh.

[GrassNinja @ Apr 22nd 2008 5:02PM]

I wonder if these would be used at retail stores.. you know, to make sure your walking the required amount during your shift.. ha! ..

[anonymouspimp @ Apr 22nd 2008 5:13PM]

"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.

[Wisam @ Apr 22nd 2008 7:25PM]

ASIMO stands for Advanced Stepping Innovative MObility

[couchpundit @ Apr 22nd 2008 5:13PM]

Don't you mean the "Assimove" technology?

[andres @ Apr 22nd 2008 9:27PM]

i see what you did there

[Doug @ Apr 22nd 2008 6:04PM]

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.)

[Nazul @ Apr 22nd 2008 6:04PM]

Help, I can't turn it off.

[andres @ Apr 22nd 2008 9:28PM]

holy shit, its become self aware

[Michael @ Apr 22nd 2008 6:35PM]

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).

[majortom @ Apr 22nd 2008 6:54PM]

what do you mean IF I were.........
you should have said WHEN I am a senior. Just a matter of time :P

[Quix @ Apr 22nd 2008 6:40PM]

Of questionable value...yet far better looking than the new Pilot (ugh).

[Terpy @ Apr 22nd 2008 6:47PM]

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"

[Adam @ Apr 22nd 2008 7:25PM]

wait.. didnt ASIMO eat it on some stairs .. i would hate to have this thing help me walk

[Wisam @ Apr 22nd 2008 7:27PM]

I wonder what else do they have in Barrier Free show in Osaka?

[fuma @ Apr 22nd 2008 7:32PM]

"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."

[S.P. Gass @ Apr 22nd 2008 9:28PM]

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/

[Matthew @ Apr 22nd 2008 10:30PM]

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.

[Fernando @ Apr 23rd 2008 12:13AM]

I don't worry of all that Doom stuff, my question is "Can it make me do the Moonwalk?"