Toyota plans nursing robots for aging Japan

Toyota is working on two new technologies to help individuals with impaired mobility. These technologies include the Walk Assist Robot and the Care Assist Robot.

The Walk Assist Robot helps individuals who have suffered paralysis to walk and can help with physical therapy by using a mechanical device consisting of two sensors and knee actuator. The 7.7-pound device uses one sensor on the bottom of the foot to sense pressure, a sensor on the thigh to sense the position of the leg, and the actuator to interpret the information from these two sensors and move the device. The Walk Assist Robot is shown in Figure 1.

Figure 1. Walk Assist Robot

The Care Assist Robot was designed to help caregivers with bedridden patients. The device functions like a mixture between a dolly and a wheelchair. It helps these individuals move around with the help of a caregiver. The device has a large arm on the back which the caregiver is able to use to move the patient around and which doubles as a support system for the patient's back.

Figure 2. Care Assist Robot

The full article can be found at http://news.cnet.com/8301-27083_3-20128993-247/toyota-plans-nursing-robots-for-aging-japan/ .