Technology Watch
By Klebine, Phil; Pushin' On, Vol. 26, No. 2Publication Date: 2008
Article features three walking assistance devices for people with varying degrees of lower extremity disabilities. (1) A prototype walking aid device made by Honda Motor Company was designed for people who have some ability to walk on their own. It consists of a seat, frame, and shoes. The user wears the shoes and raises the seat into place. The device supports a portion of the person’s body weight by lifting the seat as the frame between the shoe and seat bends and extends. Natural walking is achieved through sensors imbedded in the shoes which control two motors that automatically adjust the amount of assisting force applied to each leg. (2) ReWalk, an upright walking assistance tool, enables wheelchair users with lower limb disabilities to stand, walk, and climb stairs. (3) The Hybrid Assistive Limb (HAL) Exoskeleton is a cyborg robot that can improve and expand physical capability. It is reportedly able to enhance the average user’s strength tenfold and is designed for use in various fields including rehabilitation support and daily living activity support for users with disabilities as well as heavy labor support at factories and rescue support at disaster sites.
Assistive Products Discussed: HYBRID ASSISTIVE LIMB (HAL)
Published by: University of Alabama at Birmingham Model Spinal Cord Injury System of Care (Website:http://www.spinalcord.uab.edu)
This publication is included in the library of the National Rehabilitation Information Center (NARIC), accession number O18148
