ABC’s Good Morning America has been running some interesting medical technology stories this week, but this one in particular caught my eye. An Israeli company demonstrated a powered exoskeleton called ReWalk that can be used to help wheelchair-bound individuals walk upright, even up stairs:
ReWalk is a lightweight device comprised of an upper body harness, backpack and full leg supports.
The supports have motorized hips and knees. Advance motion sensors placed in the shoulder and connected to a backpack computer detect subtle changes in gravity, telling the device when a step needs to be taken. Users control the movement of the leg supports with the help of crutches, so wearers must have the use of their upper bodies in order to control the device.
A battery pack provides three hours of continuous movement.
Being able to walk, especially for those who have lost the ability due to an accident or illness, must be an incredibly empowering feeling. Aside from the positive mental and emotional impact technology like this can provide, however, there’s a very practical aspect. Not everywhere is wheelchair friendly. The simple act of walking up a flight of stairs, for example, may restore access to places that are difficult or impossible to access in a chair.
In addition to restoring mobility to those who have lost it, we’ve seen similar technology used to enhance human ability to comfortably carry heavy loads on foot.
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