Power-assist pedestrian

[Lock]

View attachment Honda.jpg
Imagine a bicycle seat connected by mechanical frames to a pair of shoes for an idea of how the new wearable assisted-walking gadget from Honda works.

The experimental device, unveiled Friday, is designed to support bodyweight, reduce stress on the knees and help people get up steps and stay in crouching positions.

Honda envisions the device being used by workers at auto or other factories. It showed a video of Honda employees wearing the device and bending to peer underneath vehicles on an assembly line.

Engineer Jun Ashihara also said the machine is useful for people standing in long lines and for people who run around to make deliveries.


Full articles here:

Original AP url:
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/A/AS_TEC_JAPAN_HONDA_WALKER?SITE=CAVIC&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT
Globe & Mail AP article:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20081107.whondagadget1107/BNStory/Technology/home

tks
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[Mathurin]

I could use one of these, can barely walk 800m

 

[Link]

I am amused.

 

[Lock]

 

[Lock]

Power-assist walker as designed by ES hehehe

 

[swbluto]

Cyborgization is finally reaching the point of intimately augmenting our own physical functions. Soon enough, we'll be half-machines, half-humans.(Or human machine+)

When I first read the title, I was thinking about those skates/shoe hybrids that you see kids wear being electrified. That would be awesome. I'd definitely wear some.

 

[Link]

Call me when I can get one of these:

 

[fechter]

Hmm... sort of like the Caterpillar P-5000 power loader from 'aliens'.

I'm actually looking at something like this to help surgeons avoid back problems from performing long surgeries in awkward positions.

 

[Ben]

Problem solved

Am I the only one that thinks it would be incredibly painful if those Honda legs snapped straight all of a sudden?

Anyway, I have a far better solution:

 

[Zoot Katz]

Imagine a bicycle seat connected by mechanical frames to a pair of shoes for an idea of how the new wearable assisted-walking gadget from Honda works.

The experimental device, unveiled Friday, is designed to support bodyweight, reduce stress on the knees and help people get up steps and stay in crouching positions.

Honda envisions the device being used by workers at auto or other factories. It showed a video of Honda employees wearing the device and bending to peer underneath vehicles on an assembly line.

Honda don't post here otherwise they'd be thinking about tweaking it for a pedal powered ornithopter crossing of the English Channel.
Everest up and down in a day would be cool too.
Maybe a submersible version for triathlon events.