100k now wonder how much in a few years i want /need one !

pwales_2

Walking device set to change lives

Yesterday, 07:23 pm

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A revolutionary new bionic walking device, that has been shown in the UK for the first time, is set to change the lives of many wheelchair users who may have given up hope of ever walking again. Skip related content
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The ReWalk exoskeleton is the first commercially available upright walking technology that enables individuals with lower limb paralysis - such as spinal cord injury and Spina Bifida - to stand, walk and even climb stairs.
The mechanism has been developed by specialists in the field of rehabilitation devices in Israel.
ReWalk is a light wearable brace support suit with a sophisticated computer system that restores a person's mobility functions, thus improving both quality of life and physical health.
The technology comprises motors at the joints, an array of motion sensors, a computer system based on sophisticated control and safety algorithms and tailored rechargeable batteries.
The manufacturer Cyclone says the device is totally interactive and the user has command of all mobility functions through unique control processes.

jetta_wales

That is pretty awesome but you'd certainly get a fair few Robocop comments at first :-)

pwales_2

but walking again for 100k is cheap wonder what the mpg is lol

sunnyone

I was their and the true cost is £50k and not £100k, it was amazing to see him get out of his chair and walk, he even climbed the stairs at one of the stalls.

I have picked my next power chair at NAIDEX but unfortunatly they didnt have any drive from wheelchair WAVS that were suitable or under £40k for a car with seats in the back, a cars no good if you cant fit your family in it but some WAV manufactures only put the passenger seat in their vehicles.

Derivative

These devices are very impressive. Not only for disabled users but also in applications for everyone - soon we will be looking at exoskeletons to make the common man stronger than a bodybuilder.

pwales_2

50k even better , not to many years, maybe 10 and that will be in reach of a bank loan i think they are amazing!

sunnyone

pwales wrote: »

50k even better , not to many years, maybe 10 and that will be in reach of a bank loan i think they are amazing!

It WAS amazing to see but they wouldnt let any of us to try it out spouting insurance wouldnt cover us.

saving_pennies

looks amazing. Pity it is so expensive that many people who would benefit from it wouldn't be able to afford it!

Doom_and_Gloom

EdgEy wrote: »

These devices are very impressive. Not only for disabled users but also in applications for everyone - soon we will be looking at exoskeletons to make the common man stronger than a bodybuilder.

They have already done that - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OW2pBLQLHj0 . As you will notice the video was uploaded in 2008.

As for the disabled one I think it is amazing however the price is a barrier - I am a part time whealchair user and use crutches when not in my wheelchair but I do not have that kind of money and few people do! By the time it is affordable a better one will be out that will make that one redundant :rotfl:. To be honest it was only a matter of time until this kind of technology was made.

easy

Amazing - this what Christopher Reeve (the superman actor who was paralysed in an accident) was hoping for, unfortunately he died before it became a reality ...

The cost is such a difficult issue. It is so high simply because of the years of research and development that have gone into the project so far, people have had to be paid during all that time, and will continue to be paid through future improvements to the technology.

We need to find a charitable foundation that would help to fund getting this out to people who need it.

If I remember correctly, Christopher Reeve set up a foundation to fund this type of research.

Derivative

The cost is not too much of a worry. Once these things get into mass production costs will fly down. Look at electric cars for an example.