Engadget goes legs-on with Honda's walking-assist devices (with video!)
By Joshua Topolsky 
posted April 15th 2009 4:34PM
posted April 15th 2009 4:34PM
Update: Since some of you have asked, we'll try to explain a little like what walking with the legs (the ones in the above picture at least) was like. Firstly, the leg motors run on a kind of timer, once you start moving, the computer on-board gets a "sense" of how quickly you'll be walking and begins to push and pull the motor to that rhythm. As you speed up or slow down, you can feel that "timer" catching up. The general feeling wasn't that it was adding that much to our movement -- it's obviously intended for those with some issues already, not people who are necessarily walking normally. Still, you could definitely feel the "legs" exerting a kind of tension on your muscles as you moved back and forth, and the feeling of having more power in your gait was absolutely present. Kevin's description of the second unit was that it was more difficult to walk (and there was no push / pull of a timer), but that he could sense the unit supporting his weight -- though it wasn't as if he could simply put all of his weight on the device. That unit certainly seemed to have a more substantial impact for those without a medical issue or related impediment. If you've got more specific questions, feel free to let us know in comments and we'll try to answer them!
Now I can be Chell from Portal! :O
"Well done, Android. The Enrichment Center reminds you that android hell is a real place where you will be sent at the first sign of defiance."
picture 58 of 84 is just wrong!
O_O Yikes! I wouldn't be caught dead in the second one!
@ onelove ... they all are.
The awful music, oh god!
All your LEGS are belong to us!
red jeans. nice... NOT!
Those are clearly orange. or at least they look it to me.
Oh sorry. those are red. wow. im blind today. nevermind.
Unfortunately, Joshua Topolsky, coloured pants jumped the shark about a year ago.
Yeah, the writers for orange pants shouldn't have put it in such an annoying relationship with those Ugg boots.
when i saw the screen grab from the video, i thought it was some jump suit they made Joshua wear for safety/sanitary reasons.
Fire-hydrant orange basically.
those jeans are definitely horrible. only positive thing was that it suited well with Honda's color
WHATS WITH THE MUSIC????????
-Romeo
couldn't watch it because of the music
You guys hate Mega Man?
Josh, I loved the music - it put a smile on my face for sure.
The music was awesome! MegaMan ftw
And, Romeo, no need to sign your name if you put it as your username.
lol at all the comments. Since I am disabled and have limited use of my legs due to normal growth and muscle formation not quite occuring, I am interested in a device such as this. So rather than music starting, (which I have no problem with, just a bit loud) I would rather have wanted to actually HEAR what the people had to say regarding this device. Just a bit of info of where I am coming from.
-I am not supposed to sign my name since its already written above the comment
god dammit that music was embarrassing!
i thought the mega-man music was a nice touch. and josh, your pants are fabulous, lol.
Now I feel bad about my previous comment.
Damm that music made me nauseous!
:(
Love the 8 bit soundtrack! Amazing how this technology is now small enough to almost be discrete!
I see we have different perceptions of discreet.
Oh wait, you said discrete ... my bad. *takes foot out of mouth*
Dammit! Stupid iPod Touch auto correct :-(
Can't wait for the days of Gundam Wing!
Double Zeta FTW.
LMAO I love the music. Makes it so epic.
It goes to show you how great those old game makers were to actually create an interesting sound track in 8-bit. Goes with the vid perfectly BTW.
Agreed - the music makes it frikkin awesome.
thats some really cool looking stuff. I wonder if anyone will be able to afford it?
I work in the medical setting, does this thing actually do anything? If so, it would help many patients with impaired mobility and decreased quality of life.
I hope it does something. All I've seen are normal healthy people walking with these devices.
Kinda like when tanned muscular super-models are in the infomercial for exercise equipment.
I sure hope so too, as I have a family member that this would help immensely.
this is still under development to help ppl with back problems. it's the first of many fruit that will bared by Asimo related technology. Honda lives 20 years in the future: robots, hydrogen cars, and these leg supports
umm am I a member or not..
LOL Thanks so much for that music!
WHATS WITH THE RED JEANS????????
-Juliet
engadgetbro is embracing his inner hipster
I could see a bit of tension but this doesnt look like it actually does what was advertised. Isnt this supposed to increase strength of the users muscle area 10 fold?
Different gadget, sorry. The full body armor isn't out yet :P
The idea is not to increase strength but to reduce the load on the muscles. They designed it to basically help people who have difficulty walking or have a condition where their leg muscles are not functioning at full capacity
LOFL. I love the music. This is obviously only useful for old people, but soooooooooooooo worthy of NES music! It's Megaman, without the shooters, and he's Geriatricman, finally finding a way to the toilet without the use of bedpans or nurses.
Those are some kickass pants Josh.
"They seemed adamantly against selling the stride-boosting stilts to the military."
Of course that is to be expected. Who would want to boost another countries army when you don't have your own? Or those same countries are the ones that stopping you from having an army.
Does he really wear orange pants or is that part of the device for some reason?
so why would anyone want to have a fanny pack strapped to the their back?
oh come on, you know that's what everybody's gonna think.