See all the cool things we'll have to look forward to when we're older?
Honda unveiled another experimental walking-assistant device on Friday that lets people's legs still do the walking while taking take some of the weight off leg muscles and joints. The device looks like a follow-up to another walking aid from Honda shown off earlier this year.
With the latest one, a person steps into the device shoes and leans back into the high seat. Honda does the rest by supporting a large portion of the person's body weight during walking, stair-climbing, or even squatting.
The seat level can be adjusted for different heights. People wear their own shoes and place them into the device shoes. The device is controlled through an individual's body movement with the assisting force from two motors being automatically directed toward the person's center of gravity to maintain balance, according to Honda.
The technology applied to the device grew out of studies Honda research groups did to develop walking techniques for Asimo, its humanoid robot.
Honda announced it will begin testing the device this month at its assembly plant in Sayama, Saitama, Japan.作者: xblues 时间: 8-11-2008 16:28
提示: 作者被禁止或删除, 无法发言标题: Honda unveils wearable walking device
A researcher shows off the
assisted-walking gadget from Honda
in Tokyo on Friday.
(Katsumi Kasahara/Associated Press)
Imaginea bicycle seat connected by mechanical frames to a pair of shoes for anidea of how the new wearable assisted-walking gadget from Honda works.
Theexperimental device, unveiled Friday in Tokyo, is designed to supportbody weight, reduce stress on the knees and help people get up stepsand stay in crouching positions.
Honda envisions the devicebeing used by workers at auto or other factories. It showed a video ofHonda employees wearing the device and bending to peer underneathvehicles on an assembly line.
Engineer Jun Ashihara also said the machine is useful for people standing in long lines and who run around to make deliveries.
"Thisshould be as easy to use as a bicycle," Ashihara said at Honda's Tokyoheadquarters. "It reduces stress, and you should feel less tired."
To wear it, you put the seat between your legs, put on the shoes and push the on button. Then just start walking around.
Thesystem has a computer, motor, gears, battery and sensors embedded in itso it responds to a person's movements, according to Honda Motor Co.
Pricingand commercial product plans are still undecided. Japan's No. 2automaker will begin testing a prototype with its assembly line workerslater this month for feedback.
The need for such mechanical help is expected to grow in Japan, which has one of the most rapidly aging societies in the world.
Another device to help people walk reads brain signals
Othercompanies are also eyeing the potentially lucrative market of helpingthe weak and old get around. Japan is among the world's leading nationsin robotics technology, not only for industrial use but also forentertainment and companionship.
Earlier this year, Japanese rival Toyota Motor Corp. showed a Segway-like ride it said was meant for old people.
Japaneserobot company Cyberdyne has begun renting out in Japan a belted devicecalled HAL, for "hybrid assistive limb," that reads brain signals tohelp people move about with mechanical leg braces that strap to thelegs.
Honda has shown a similar but simpler belted device. Ithas motors on the left and right, which hook up to frames that strap atthe thighs, helping the walker maintain a proper stride.
Thatdevice, being tested at one Japanese facility, helps rehabilitationprograms for people who are disabled, encouraging them to take steps,said Honda official Kiyoshi Aikawa.
Honda has been carrying out research into mobility for more than a decade, introducing the Asimo humanoid in 2000.作者: coredump 时间: 8-11-2008 19:23
这个太强了，以后人类可能就变成半人半机器了作者: ubuntuhk 时间: 9-11-2008 00:55 标题: 回复 #3 coredump 的帖子 大规模推广之后，人的腿就逐渐退化萎缩了作者: xblues 时间: 9-11-2008 01:30
提示: 作者被禁止或删除, 无法发言标题: 回复 #4 ubuntuhk 的帖子 住要是有助于有残障的人士，和老年人，我觉得这个绝对有意义。作者: ubuntuhk 时间: 9-11-2008 15:17 标题: 回复 #5 xblues 的帖子 嗯，还可以帮助士兵增加能力。作者: harry109 时间: 9-11-2008 18:15
