Honda, a company best known for making cars, has extended its research into robotics to come up with futuristic personal mobility technology. This from their website: “most people think of Honda as an automobile company. But our main focus is and always has been human mobility. And innovation is our engine”.
They have come up with a compact, mechanised, hands-free personal transporter that moves in response to changes in the rider’s centre of gravity (balance).
Check out their 3 1/2 minute video presentation showing this device in use.
They have also just released 2 other devices that attach to the body:
- Stride Management Assist – helps with an awkward gait by lengthening stride and regulating walking pace. Click ‘Learn More’ at the web site link and watch the 2 1/2 minute video.
- Bodyweight Support Assist – for activities requiring extended standing or repetitive lower body tasks, this helps by supporting a portion of a person’s body weight and reducing the load on muscles and joints. Click ‘Learn More’ at the web site link and watch the 2 1/2 minute video.
While these technologies may be more in the concept stage, you can get an idea of how they may be able to help HSPers get around.
