RoboticLegs
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Researchers tout progress with brain-controlled robotic legs
While some mind-control technologies may not amount to much more than gimmicks, there's also plenty of serious research being done in the field -- particularly when it comes to artificial limbs. So far, the majority of that work has focused on robotic arms, but a team of researchers from the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Long Beach, California have now made some progress with a robotic leg prosthesis controlled by EEG signals. As you might expect, things remain a bit limited at this point -- not amounting to much more than the ability to start and stop -- but the researchers say they've been able to achieve a 100 percent response rate with no "false alarms," and that the results are promising enough to begin tackling additional degrees of freedom like turning and sitting. What's more, while the system has so far only been tested on able-bodied individuals, the researchers hope that it will eventually be able to aid those with spinal cord injuries and aid in rehabilitation. You can get a quick look at it on video after the break.
Rex, the robotic exoskeleton, aims to make wheelchairs obsolete
New Zealand isn't exactly known for being a hotbed of tech innovation, but this set of bionic legs might just realign that perception a little bit. The product of seven years of development work, the Rex exoskeleton is capable of supporting the full weight of a person -- making it suitable for paraplegics -- and moving him or her around in a familiar bipedal fashion. It's operated using a joystick and control pad and is simple enough for handicapped users to self-transfer in and out of. The best news, perhaps, is that it's about to go on sale in its home country this year, with an international launch following in 2011. The worst news? Probably the $150,000 (US) initial asking price, but then we'd hardly say we're qualified to judge the value of being able to walk again. Video and full press release after the break. [Thanks, Kurt and Simon]
Matsushita to sell Power Pedal robotic legs
Matsushita's already given us a robotic suit to aid in rehabilitation, but it's now taking its robo-upgrades even further, busting out a pair of "Power Pedal" robotic legs to give us humans a fighting chance in the inevitable robot uprising... and help disabled and elderly people walk again. Supposedly, the Power Pedals will give you seven times more strength, and be able to maneuver through difficult terrain without tipping over, thanks to their six directions of movement. Matsushita thinks that'll also make the legs particularly well-suited for use in disaster areas, which would seem to be a likely first test bed, given that they'll cost a cool 20 million yen ($167k) when they're available in August. According to Matsushita, however, that'll come down to just $30,000 by 2015, so start saving up.[Via Slash Gear]
