http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/15/rex-the-robotic-exoskeleton-aims-to-make-wheelchairs-obsolete/ Engadget Comments for Rex, the robotic exoskeleton, aims to make wheelchairs obsolete http://www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/15/rex-the-robotic-exoskeleton-aims-to-make-wheelchairs-obsolete/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/15/rex-the-robotic-exoskeleton-aims-to-make-wheelchairs-obsolete/Jul 15th 2010 3:02AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/07/15/rex-the-robotic-exoskeleton-aims-to-make-wheelchairs-obsolete/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/15/rex-the-robotic-exoskeleton-aims-to-make-wheelchairs-obsolete/I for one welcome our paraplegic overlords.

Oh and go NZ, still producing awesome stuff!]]>Jul 15th 2010 3:08AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/07/15/rex-the-robotic-exoskeleton-aims-to-make-wheelchairs-obsolete/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/15/rex-the-robotic-exoskeleton-aims-to-make-wheelchairs-obsolete/
But on the plus side, it makes their legs move, and that should prevent muscle wasting/atrophy of the legs. Hopefully they'll keep researching to improve the device. I can see many benefits of this device in the future. ]]>Jul 15th 2010 3:22AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/07/15/rex-the-robotic-exoskeleton-aims-to-make-wheelchairs-obsolete/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/15/rex-the-robotic-exoskeleton-aims-to-make-wheelchairs-obsolete/I don't think you know how atrophy works. Just because the legs are moving doesn't mean that muscles are working... They're gonna atrophy regardless.]]>Jul 15th 2010 3:31AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/07/15/rex-the-robotic-exoskeleton-aims-to-make-wheelchairs-obsolete/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/15/rex-the-robotic-exoskeleton-aims-to-make-wheelchairs-obsolete/
Yeah. Real slow.

But I had an idea when I saw the video focus on his wheel chair and then the Rex:

Why not strap him into a Segway-type device? Even if you had you use joysticks... you'd move much quicker. It wouldn't be much wider than the Rex is now. Or just put roller skates on the Rex! :)

As for moving your legs to prevent atrophy... his legs don't move that much in the Rex. I'm sure his daily exercise routine moves his legs far more. But it is nice to stretch out your legs though.]]>Jul 15th 2010 3:47AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/07/15/rex-the-robotic-exoskeleton-aims-to-make-wheelchairs-obsolete/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/15/rex-the-robotic-exoskeleton-aims-to-make-wheelchairs-obsolete/Jul 15th 2010 4:00AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/07/15/rex-the-robotic-exoskeleton-aims-to-make-wheelchairs-obsolete/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/15/rex-the-robotic-exoskeleton-aims-to-make-wheelchairs-obsolete/
Timberrrr!!!!

how easy is it to get back up if you fall over? ]]>Jul 15th 2010 4:10AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/07/15/rex-the-robotic-exoskeleton-aims-to-make-wheelchairs-obsolete/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/15/rex-the-robotic-exoskeleton-aims-to-make-wheelchairs-obsolete/
You think thats terrifying? wait until its combined with the New Zealand built Martin Jetpack!

Then we really gonna see some cookies crumble....]]>Jul 15th 2010 4:57AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/07/15/rex-the-robotic-exoskeleton-aims-to-make-wheelchairs-obsolete/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/15/rex-the-robotic-exoskeleton-aims-to-make-wheelchairs-obsolete/Jul 15th 2010 5:05AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/07/15/rex-the-robotic-exoskeleton-aims-to-make-wheelchairs-obsolete/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/15/rex-the-robotic-exoskeleton-aims-to-make-wheelchairs-obsolete/
This isn't Slashdot, you insensitive clod!]]>Jul 15th 2010 6:40AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/07/15/rex-the-robotic-exoskeleton-aims-to-make-wheelchairs-obsolete/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/15/rex-the-robotic-exoskeleton-aims-to-make-wheelchairs-obsolete/
Segways require the use of balance from the users legs. The hand controls on a Segway are limited to just forward/backward input. ]]>Jul 15th 2010 8:25AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/07/15/rex-the-robotic-exoskeleton-aims-to-make-wheelchairs-obsolete/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/15/rex-the-robotic-exoskeleton-aims-to-make-wheelchairs-obsolete/
Did anybody think of MGS when they saw this? ]]>Jul 15th 2010 9:47AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/07/15/rex-the-robotic-exoskeleton-aims-to-make-wheelchairs-obsolete/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/15/rex-the-robotic-exoskeleton-aims-to-make-wheelchairs-obsolete/@Michael Scrip

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IBOT
Do you mean this? Already exists, in fact already discontinued. Made by Segway.
]]>Jul 15th 2010 9:57AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/07/15/rex-the-robotic-exoskeleton-aims-to-make-wheelchairs-obsolete/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/15/rex-the-robotic-exoskeleton-aims-to-make-wheelchairs-obsolete/lieutenant Dan you got new legs.... Magic legs.]]>Jul 15th 2010 10:34AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/07/15/rex-the-robotic-exoskeleton-aims-to-make-wheelchairs-obsolete/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/15/rex-the-robotic-exoskeleton-aims-to-make-wheelchairs-obsolete/
Maybe. But as a newbie paraplegic, I've been on LocoMat's and have muscle spasms like most spinal cord injuries and my muscles did react to the LocoMat and actually "remembered" how to walk, just meaning my body was doing some of the work on the machine, and I'm a "complete" injury. It's funny, because when I think about my body, It's not that I can't move anything below my injury line, it's more that I can't control it. I've stubbed my toe on a door before and my legged kicked up to get out of the way, lol. I think the benefits to muscle regrowth, or at least loss, would depend on the person. To bad this thing costs so damn much...]]>Jul 15th 2010 1:37PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/07/15/rex-the-robotic-exoskeleton-aims-to-make-wheelchairs-obsolete/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/15/rex-the-robotic-exoskeleton-aims-to-make-wheelchairs-obsolete/Jul 15th 2010 8:35PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/07/15/rex-the-robotic-exoskeleton-aims-to-make-wheelchairs-obsolete/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/15/rex-the-robotic-exoskeleton-aims-to-make-wheelchairs-obsolete/
Also there is a less expensive model produced by an Israeli company, who's name escapes me.
]]>Jul 16th 2010 8:30PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/07/15/rex-the-robotic-exoskeleton-aims-to-make-wheelchairs-obsolete/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/15/rex-the-robotic-exoskeleton-aims-to-make-wheelchairs-obsolete/Jul 15th 2010 3:04AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/07/15/rex-the-robotic-exoskeleton-aims-to-make-wheelchairs-obsolete/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/15/rex-the-robotic-exoskeleton-aims-to-make-wheelchairs-obsolete/Jul 15th 2010 7:29AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/07/15/rex-the-robotic-exoskeleton-aims-to-make-wheelchairs-obsolete/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/15/rex-the-robotic-exoskeleton-aims-to-make-wheelchairs-obsolete/Jul 15th 2010 12:16PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/07/15/rex-the-robotic-exoskeleton-aims-to-make-wheelchairs-obsolete/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/15/rex-the-robotic-exoskeleton-aims-to-make-wheelchairs-obsolete/
Hopefully in 10 years they'll be medical advancements making all of this unnecessary...]]>Jul 16th 2010 12:17AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/07/15/rex-the-robotic-exoskeleton-aims-to-make-wheelchairs-obsolete/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/15/rex-the-robotic-exoskeleton-aims-to-make-wheelchairs-obsolete/I hope I can afford one if I'm ever paralyzed. ]]>Jul 15th 2010 3:04AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/07/15/rex-the-robotic-exoskeleton-aims-to-make-wheelchairs-obsolete/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/15/rex-the-robotic-exoskeleton-aims-to-make-wheelchairs-obsolete/
"Relax your ass, Bob, relax your ass!"]]>Jul 15th 2010 3:22AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/07/15/rex-the-robotic-exoskeleton-aims-to-make-wheelchairs-obsolete/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/15/rex-the-robotic-exoskeleton-aims-to-make-wheelchairs-obsolete/Jul 15th 2010 3:06AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/07/15/rex-the-robotic-exoskeleton-aims-to-make-wheelchairs-obsolete/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/15/rex-the-robotic-exoskeleton-aims-to-make-wheelchairs-obsolete/Jul 15th 2010 3:22AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/07/15/rex-the-robotic-exoskeleton-aims-to-make-wheelchairs-obsolete/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/15/rex-the-robotic-exoskeleton-aims-to-make-wheelchairs-obsolete/Jul 15th 2010 3:10AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/07/15/rex-the-robotic-exoskeleton-aims-to-make-wheelchairs-obsolete/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/15/rex-the-robotic-exoskeleton-aims-to-make-wheelchairs-obsolete/Jul 15th 2010 3:23AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/07/15/rex-the-robotic-exoskeleton-aims-to-make-wheelchairs-obsolete/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/15/rex-the-robotic-exoskeleton-aims-to-make-wheelchairs-obsolete/Would be beautifull to see the mechanicall legs become faster, thiner, lighter, yet stronger.
Keep up the good work i must say!]]>Jul 15th 2010 3:24AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/07/15/rex-the-robotic-exoskeleton-aims-to-make-wheelchairs-obsolete/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/15/rex-the-robotic-exoskeleton-aims-to-make-wheelchairs-obsolete/Jul 15th 2010 3:25AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/07/15/rex-the-robotic-exoskeleton-aims-to-make-wheelchairs-obsolete/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/15/rex-the-robotic-exoskeleton-aims-to-make-wheelchairs-obsolete/Jul 15th 2010 8:23AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/07/15/rex-the-robotic-exoskeleton-aims-to-make-wheelchairs-obsolete/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/15/rex-the-robotic-exoskeleton-aims-to-make-wheelchairs-obsolete/Jul 15th 2010 3:25AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/07/15/rex-the-robotic-exoskeleton-aims-to-make-wheelchairs-obsolete/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/15/rex-the-robotic-exoskeleton-aims-to-make-wheelchairs-obsolete/+1 for unexpected head crushing comment]]>Jul 15th 2010 3:27AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/07/15/rex-the-robotic-exoskeleton-aims-to-make-wheelchairs-obsolete/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/15/rex-the-robotic-exoskeleton-aims-to-make-wheelchairs-obsolete/Jul 15th 2010 3:26AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/07/15/rex-the-robotic-exoskeleton-aims-to-make-wheelchairs-obsolete/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/15/rex-the-robotic-exoskeleton-aims-to-make-wheelchairs-obsolete/Jul 15th 2010 3:30AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/07/15/rex-the-robotic-exoskeleton-aims-to-make-wheelchairs-obsolete/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/15/rex-the-robotic-exoskeleton-aims-to-make-wheelchairs-obsolete/Jul 15th 2010 3:31AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/07/15/rex-the-robotic-exoskeleton-aims-to-make-wheelchairs-obsolete/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/15/rex-the-robotic-exoskeleton-aims-to-make-wheelchairs-obsolete/
If it wasn't for NZ, America wouldn't have the nuclear technology it loves so much!]]>Jul 15th 2010 3:37AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/07/15/rex-the-robotic-exoskeleton-aims-to-make-wheelchairs-obsolete/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/15/rex-the-robotic-exoskeleton-aims-to-make-wheelchairs-obsolete/
"Not known for our tech innovations"
kiwis are very inventive as a population , but unfortunately the rest of the world doesn't know this yet. Especially your average American.
]]>Jul 15th 2010 7:27AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/07/15/rex-the-robotic-exoskeleton-aims-to-make-wheelchairs-obsolete/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/15/rex-the-robotic-exoskeleton-aims-to-make-wheelchairs-obsolete/Jul 15th 2010 3:38AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/07/15/rex-the-robotic-exoskeleton-aims-to-make-wheelchairs-obsolete/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/15/rex-the-robotic-exoskeleton-aims-to-make-wheelchairs-obsolete/
Kiwis developed, amongst other things, the jet-boat (i.e. impeller driven), the Versareef, the Britten V1000, and it was a kiwi who was first to split the atom. Oh, and the Pavlova.]]>Jul 15th 2010 3:40AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/07/15/rex-the-robotic-exoskeleton-aims-to-make-wheelchairs-obsolete/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/15/rex-the-robotic-exoskeleton-aims-to-make-wheelchairs-obsolete/Jul 15th 2010 5:07AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/07/15/rex-the-robotic-exoskeleton-aims-to-make-wheelchairs-obsolete/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/15/rex-the-robotic-exoskeleton-aims-to-make-wheelchairs-obsolete/
But have they invented anything truly "magical" and "innovative" , you know, like a phone you can touch.. :D
/s ]]>Jul 15th 2010 7:17AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/07/15/rex-the-robotic-exoskeleton-aims-to-make-wheelchairs-obsolete/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/15/rex-the-robotic-exoskeleton-aims-to-make-wheelchairs-obsolete/Jul 15th 2010 7:37AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/07/15/rex-the-robotic-exoskeleton-aims-to-make-wheelchairs-obsolete/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/15/rex-the-robotic-exoskeleton-aims-to-make-wheelchairs-obsolete/How about gluing a camera to a phone?

http://dailymarauder.files.wordpress.com/2008/02/flight-camera-phone.jpg]]>Jul 15th 2010 7:38AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/07/15/rex-the-robotic-exoskeleton-aims-to-make-wheelchairs-obsolete/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/15/rex-the-robotic-exoskeleton-aims-to-make-wheelchairs-obsolete/Flight of the Concords is an inovation! ]]>Jul 15th 2010 7:46AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/07/15/rex-the-robotic-exoskeleton-aims-to-make-wheelchairs-obsolete/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/15/rex-the-robotic-exoskeleton-aims-to-make-wheelchairs-obsolete/But they didn't win a single game either, so bleh...]]>Jul 15th 2010 8:55AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/07/15/rex-the-robotic-exoskeleton-aims-to-make-wheelchairs-obsolete/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/15/rex-the-robotic-exoskeleton-aims-to-make-wheelchairs-obsolete/Jul 15th 2010 6:09PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/07/15/rex-the-robotic-exoskeleton-aims-to-make-wheelchairs-obsolete/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/15/rex-the-robotic-exoskeleton-aims-to-make-wheelchairs-obsolete/Jul 15th 2010 3:46AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/07/15/rex-the-robotic-exoskeleton-aims-to-make-wheelchairs-obsolete/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/15/rex-the-robotic-exoskeleton-aims-to-make-wheelchairs-obsolete/Jul 15th 2010 4:00AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/07/15/rex-the-robotic-exoskeleton-aims-to-make-wheelchairs-obsolete/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/15/rex-the-robotic-exoskeleton-aims-to-make-wheelchairs-obsolete/Jul 15th 2010 4:12AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/07/15/rex-the-robotic-exoskeleton-aims-to-make-wheelchairs-obsolete/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/15/rex-the-robotic-exoskeleton-aims-to-make-wheelchairs-obsolete/http://www.rexbionics.com/What-is-Rex/What-can-Rex-do.aspx]]>Jul 16th 2010 12:48AM