Paraplegics take first steps with robotic legs

Andrew Moorman

VTPP-434-502

For a paraplegic, life consist of everyday activities from the confines of a wheelchair. The thought of taking walks down the street have been dreams of most paraplegics. However, science has once again taken dreams and turned them into a reality. Scientists have successfully created an exoskeleton that moves the legs of paraplegics and can propel them forward.

The device, called ReWalk, was created by Amit Goffer, an Israeli engineer and founder of Argo Medical Technologies. The device uses motorized leg supports, body senseor, and a backpack which houses the computer and rechargeable battery. The device also requires the use of crutches in order to function properly.

In order to use the ReWalk, one simply uses the remote control attached to a wrist band. The control has the following options: stand, sit, walk, descend, and climb. After pressing one of the buttons, the user then leans forward, triggering the body sensors and sets the legs into motion.

ReWalk has given paraplegics a new lease on life, as well as renewing qualities, both physically and psychologically. In the physical sense, it allows the user to stand upright, challenging the muscles and allows the lungs to fully expand. In the psychological sense, it allows people to look at others directly in the eye, no longer requiring others to "look down" upon paraplegics.

ReWalk is currently in clinical trials and will be released for sale to the public for $20,000. Although this seems very steep, Argo claims it is a competitive price to the many sophisticated wheelchairs currently on the market.

As a biomedical engineer, one of my greatest interest have been the technology or artificial limbs. From Luke Skywalker's robotic hand to Will Smith's bionic arm in "I, Robot", it was these ideas that actually compelled me to choose this major. Overall, this idea of ReWalk is a perfect example of combining a medical need with a mechanical problem; a situation that is basically described in the title of our major.

Go here for the source article
http://technology.newscientist.com/channel/tech/dn14601-paraplegics-take-first-steps-with-robotic-legs.html

Go here for a video showing the robotic legs in action.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=424UCSN3Fjg