If you have a job that keeps you on your feet all day, or you hate standing at a concert for 4 hours, then you'll be happy to hear about Honda Motors' robot legs. Revealed on Friday, the wearable assisted-walking device helps alleviate the stress on your joints when you're walking, going up stairs, or "semi-crouching."
The robotic legs, which look like they belong to a "Star Wars" droid, work with the user's natural movement to take the stress off of the ankles, knees, and hip joints. Honda says the device helps by redistributing body weight along its frame and lightening the burden on a workers' real legs.
The device consists of a bicycle-like seat, a frame, and shoes. To use it, you simply place your shoes into the provided shoes and lift the seat into position. Honda sees the device being used by factory workers--including those at the company's own factory--as well as handicapped people. HOnda expects testing to start this month. Engineer Jun Ashihara said that using the device should be as easy as riding a bike.
The gadget has a computer, motor, gears, battery and sensors embedded in it. The battery is a lithium ion battery which holds the charge for about 2 hours.
To watch a video of the robot legs in use, check out BBC News' Web site. Pricing is still undecided, but Honda predicts the legs will be available by April of 2009.
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November 10, 2008 6:24 PM
"If you have a job that keeps you on your feet all day, or you hate standing at a concert for 4 hours"
...
"The battery is a lithium ion battery which holds the charge for about 2 hours. "
Until they can make the battery last the whole work day applications will be quite limited - unless people don't mind being on a leash. And if they put in that extra battery oomph, will these legs be worth the cost?
November 10, 2008 9:35 PM
I can't believe tat million of yen being spent by a few dipstick engineers tat a swift kick in the @ss could solve without spending a buck.
November 11, 2008 9:10 AM
madmiker, you're an idiot.
Imagine people with pains and physical disabilities able to walk like people without them.
This idea is good.
November 11, 2008 4:27 PM
These legs look like something straight off the set of "Believe," the collaborative work between Criss Angel and Cirque Du Soleil. I've been working with Cirque recently and have heard nothing but rave reviews about the show. I got to see some of the behind the scenes footage online on youtube.com/cirquelasvegas.