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On November 7, Honda unveiled a prototype walking assist device that helps support the bodyweight of the user.
The new walking assist device reduces the load on leg muscles and joints in the hip, knees, and ankles by supporting a portion of the person's bodyweight.
The device has a simple structure consisting of a seat, frame, and shoes, and weighs 6.5kg, including the shoes and the battery.
The bodyweight support-type walking assist device is for regular daily use.
So, it doesn’t need to be strapped to the body.
You just put on the shoes and place your weight on the seat.
You can wear it in only 10 seconds.
It’s easy to start using it.
The device is operated on a lithium ion battery and can remain operational for about two hours on a single charge.
Natural walking is achieved by changing the amount of assisting force applied to the right and left legs through the control of two motors, based on the information obtained though sensors imbedded in the shoes of the device.
We’re just beginning to test this technology.
It’s important to identify and solve any issues encountered
with this technology one at a time by testing it in various situations.
Depending on the number of issues we encounter during testing, our release schedule will change,
so we are currently unable to give a definite release date.
Based on the know-how acquired through its study of human walking represented by its advanced humanoid robot ASIMO, Honda has carried out research on walking assist devices, and plans to evaluate the effectiveness of the experimental model in actual environments such as at a factory.