For a company most famous for its
wheeled products, Honda certainly seems quite focused on things to help people get about on their own two feet, introducing another new prototype machine with just that in mind. Unlike the earlier
Walking Assist Device, which is intended just to help patients re-learn how to walk, the new (and cunningly named) Walking Assist Device
with Bodyweight Support System is for anyone who needs a lift -- even those who are perfectly healthy. To use it you basically straddle a bicycle seat with robotic legs, tie it to your shoes, and then (gingerly) go about your business, uncomfortably demonstrated in a video after the break. The legs support your body when you crouch and give little tugs on your feet when you walk, making bipedal mobility less of a strain. A Honda engineer said "It reduces stress, and you should feel less tired." Less tired, yes, and less exercised too. We envision a future where spindly robotic legs shudder under the weight of our grossly obese frames -- but maybe we've seen Wall-E too many times.
[Via
Associated Press]
posted November 7th 2008 7:44AM
Good concept, many prototypes still to come
the Sybian just got a new friend
Cool shoes
This has to be the most impractical thing ever. Its like carrying a bicycle everywhere you go, plus you look like a douche with an anal probe look-a-like strapped to urself.
I think this is the first time I've low ranked an already low ranked comment.
Dude, you're a jerk.
you mr are the douche
Wrap some armor around the legs and you'll have the lower half of IronMan's suit.
Imagine this were in place of the stairclimber in that movie Gremlins... that old lady would've looked like Usain Bolt jogging straight up and out the window.
Well good. I love the fact that as as shown in this link you can take a crap any where with out getting cramp in your legs.
http://world.honda.com/news/2008/c081107Walking-Assist-Device/photo/pages/04.html
Got to feel sorry for his crotch.
And his ego... new boundaries for teasing and jeering at are being set right now.
When you need it, you wouldn't care what other people thinks. really!
Meanwhile you are fracked if you can't get up the stairs. Granted in public locations they HAVE to have an elevator due to the Americans with Disabilities Act...actually I think it was an act BEFORE that, that required accessibility...anyways. This is still stupidly useful for homes and location where such things aren't possible. So accessibility vs. looking stupid....no brainer here. Only people who have the full use of their body care about such trivial things as looking stupid. We have that luxury. Many don't.
you know when i saw this, i just looked at the picture and thought... wow wedgie... the title won hard.
@ the last pic
Tron bikes?! :D
20 Years into the future ....
Wife - Hun does my bum look big in this ?
Corey - No no not at all ...
Wow, humanity really has reached a new low. Now people are too lazy to even WALK?
Whats next, something that helps you crap in your pants because your too lazy to get off your ass, put on your walking assistant and go to the bathroom?
Tragic T_T
I suppose that if you were to reach an age when you need walking assistance, you'd rather someone just pull you around in a Radio Flyer?
You fail at being the target demographic.
Are you suggesting that being pulled around in a radio flyer isn't totally awesome? Blasphemy!!!
Somehow I have a hard time believing that chrisp is a model of fitness...
Is that Johnny Wilkinson in the second photo?
How does it attach itself to the person? oh... ouch... forget I asked.
Oh...ouch, forgot to watch the video.
I love it as a concept. But may I suggest that they try to improve the bicycle instead. Everything apart from indoors I see no advantage.
...and how would you suggest they improve the most efficient form of transportation on the planet?
Am I the only one who is reminded of the things Chell wears on her legs in Portal?
Good Call! Since you mentioned it, it DOES remind me of the girl in Portal.
Actually I think I would look less ridiculous been pulled around in a little red wagon than this vile contraption.
My grandchildren better grow up big and strong so they can pull me around while I tell them about that time I posted on the Engadget forum.
apparently you thought you didn't fail hard enough with your first post
Nice girlie shoes he's wearing. Do you have them in a patent leather T-strap?
Has a convenient ergonomic handle for the bullies giving him a wedgie so they won't get wrist strain. Nice to see someone looking out for the health of the bullies.
**Disclaimer: Honda is not responsible for damaged clothing articles in the event user forgets to remove robo-leg when using the restroom.**
Looks like they're giving birth to a robot - legs first.
Gee, I wonder what's up that guy's ass.
Crouching tiger.. hidden banana?
The title should read more like "... doubles as free anal rape"
it's more like kuso on otaku
I think many of you are missing the point of this. For one, it can greatly reduce fatigue for factory workers thus increasing productivity. That alone could let it pay for itself.
Even better is how much this could help senior citizens. In the last years of his life, my Grandfather couldn't walk more than a few 100 ft without becoming very tired. Something like this could have greatly increased his mobility. He might have just needed a cane to maintain balance (he had inner ear balance issues).
Honda is pushing forward with technology like this and robotics in general because of the aging Japanese population (which doesn't suffer from obesity issues) They are looking to technology like this to allow seniors to maintain independence which will in turn reduce the cost of caring for them. Frankly they are setting themselves up for some huge profits in down the road..
Didnt Ripley wear one of these when she was fighting off the Alien?
I quite like it - there are many medical examples, where this would be helpfull - people with problems with weight, after breaking a leg or both, problem with coordination ... and this may help them to go back to life. The ugliness is it's advantage - they will want to soon not use it ;). Better then laying in bad
And the other usage is in the video at the end - i guess they will soon want to add an upper part for supporting hands as well, and when they do it, they will make very light and very effective machine - industrial robot with a brain. A man will use his brain to do what is necessary, robot part will solve the hard work - move the objects and take their weight. Now you need several days to weeks to programm a robot to take parts and move them, where you want. When you change the place, you need to reprogramm it. Everything must be same, as it is hard to instruct one robot to do many things. With something like this, you can start imeddiately. And it is better then having a man siting behind a computer with joystick. Future begins!
P.S.: offtopic - is there anyone from engadget here? I tried to write them using contact form, but the form doesn't allow to add my e-mail address, says it is invalid (tried several hundret percent valid mails)
Asimo called,
Says, "watch it on those steps"
It's a great idea, but I think a lot of people will be uncomfortable with the idea that it's located ''twixt the legs instead of on the outside.
I'm wondering about firmware/software updates. I can see offering dance capabilities for a reasonable price - a la The Suit.
Will we need robots if we're the robots?
My girlfriend is 28 years old and has stumped 2 GPs and 4 neurologists with whatever it is that she has. What we know is that she can barely walk short distances over level ground, and is in constant pain. She can't leave the house without a wheelchair, because walking more than a couple dozen feet makes the pain unbearable. She can't help take care of her daughter, or cook a meal, or do any of the average everyday tasks that life requires We've been watching all of these Honda announcements and prototypes with baited breath. We'd like one now please....
All of you talking about how this represents a new level of laziness need to get a grip. There are people out there desperate for devices like these to restore some semblance of a normal life.
If it is just joint pain, you may want to investigate the variations of Ehlers Danlos syndrome.
that sounds a lot like my mother. she has an electric scooter for when she goes out. she has to take so many pain meds every day and she still is in pain. she fell a few weeks ago and broke her elbow and double fractured her ankle. (she just got lightheaded or something on the way to the bathroom) I agree, this machine would probably do great things for this world.
i can easily see lots of practical jokes coming out of this...
EG - putting pointy objects up the an00s
lololol
too far?
Yes. But it's okay, I fixed it.
Here's a hint: red + -- = ?
Honda is brilliant... any major industrial manufacturer not looking at creating devices which will make the lives of the huge population of ,rapidly aging but rich, baby boomer generation is dropping the ball. This is exactly a case in point as to why american auto manufacturers are dying off... they have no vision for the opportunities the future will bring. Not only will this allow the aging population to lead a life in their later years but think of how much longer an older person could keep doing a labour intensive job instead of having to retire. This will become especially important when there are not enough young workers to replace the old.
i heard you can run the quarter mile in high 13's with this. i wonder where vtec kicks in yo!
If it makes metal creaking motor winding noises like robocop and terminator I'm totally getting one!
So what kind of crime do you fight with bionic crotch powers?
This device would be awesome if instead of assisting you in waking, it gave you the ability to run faster than humanly possible. Other than that, I don't see their market being much bigger then just disabled people.
Lack of a market? Are you kidding me? The military implications of this are enormous. Soldiers able to carry 200+ lbs, able to walk dozens of miles a day over rough terrain? An army equipped with these would be unstoppable in rough terrain.