Honda Reveals Its Own Robotic Leg

January 4, 2009 @ 11:25 pm · Filed under personal transport

honda-robotic-leg-2009-06-05_001959 Honda is constantly working on making a device that gives the user an advantage in regular movements, and this device will add up to the strength and also reduce the stress caused by physical exertions. It came up from the advanced research done by Honda for the upcoming robot ASIMO. While Hondaâ€™s robotic leg will not totally mobilize electric wheelchair bound users, it might offer new level of freedom to all with minor disabilities.

This suit will be first tested by Honda at the Honda car assembly plant in Saitama. It will help the workers in reducing the work stress and will lower the number of injuries. Also there is some Japanese firm that is coming up such metal suits but not very closer to reality. Cyberdyne Corp. has already come up with one such device with both legs and is now planning for both arms and legs. This suit will help users not get stressed and will increase their strength in multiples. Similar prosthetic device was announced recently by ReWalk.

honda-robotic-leg-2009-06-05_001958 Honda has taken the initiative basically to help the users who are handicapped. They are producing robotic movement assistance devices keeping in mind the needs of handicaps. This new robotic leg will help the users normal movement, it will just push some force to reduce the stress on the joints while making movements like walking, climbing stairs or semi crouching. Honda is aiming towards making the robotic leg more towards real world situations. Honda has made the device quite simpler than the cyberdyneâ€™s one. It basically consists of a seat, frame and shoes. To use the device, user has to put the shoes on and then lift the seat into position. After wearing the device it takes off the stress from muscles of knee, joints and hips.

Honda made the medium size suit for people in the height range of 5′ 6" to 5′ 10". The weight specifications are 6.5 Kg. also Honda said that the suit is partially self-supporting as it has two motors. These motors run on Lithium ion battery that can run for 2 hours on a single charge. Honda says that the product is superior to the competitor as it supports the natural motion. The assistance that is provided is in concert with leg and is aimed towards the userâ€™s center of gravity. Due to this factor the motion provided by the motor is unique and natural says Honda.

The first initiation taken in such devices was by Honda in 1999. The research for such device was heavily inspired from the Hondaâ€™s advanced humanoid robot which is called ASIMO. All the research in these devices were carried out in the Fundamental Technology Research Center of Honda at Wako, Saitama and later all the test regarding the robotic leg will be carried out in the car manufacturing plant there as mentioned earlier.

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2 Comments »

myesha oneal Said,

August 9, 2009 @ 10:01 pm

hi my name is myesha oneal i been lookin for electronic wheelchair for two year. and i really want to go to school this year. but i csnt becz i dont have electronic wheelchair get around the college i want to go so cn u please me

myesha oneal
Honda Personal Mobility Device U3-X similar to unicycle crossbreads Segway Said,

September 29, 2009 @ 4:09 pm

[...] in robotics and assistive technology, and although its announcements are many (see the one about artificial robotic leg) most of this is still years away from production and sale. Looks like Honda is competing heavily [...]

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