TOKYO, July 22, 2015 - (ACN Newswire) - Honda Motor Co., Ltd. today announced plans to begin lease sales of the Honda Walking Assist Device, an assistive device for use in rehabilitation of walking, to hospitals and rehabilitation facilities throughout Japan. Lease sales are scheduled to begin in November 2015.
Striving to offer the joy of mobility to more people, Honda has been continuing the research and development of the Walking Assist Device since 1999 while leveraging the theory of human walking Honda has amassed through research and development of ASIMO, Honda's advanced humanoid robot. Since 2013, with the cooperation of approximately 50 hospitals and other facilities in Japan, a limited number of the Walking Assist Device have already been in use, which enabled Honda to optimize the functions of the Device.
Honda is beginning lease sales of the Walking Assist Device to make it available for more hospitals and facilities across Japan.
The Walking Assist Device features a function to influence the user to achieve efficient walking based on the inverted pendulum model, which is a theory of bipedal walking, and is designed as a device to be used in walking therapy/training under the guidance of a doctor and/or therapist.
Key features of the Walking Assist Device:
- Compact size and lightweight were achieved with thin motors and a control system developed independently by Honda.- Adoption of a simple belt-structure making it easier for the user to put it on and off.- Adoption of size-adjustable frames making it possible for more people with various body sizes/types to use the Walking Assist Device.- The Walking Assist Device features a measuring function which visualizes unique walking patterns and training status of each user on a tablet-type information device. - Three training modes are available:
1) Following mode: The Walking Assist Device influence the user's walking motions based on the walking pattern of the user. 2) Symmetric mode: Based on the walking patterns of the user, the Walking Assist Device influences the user to achieve bilaterally symmetric motions such as bending and extending both legs. 3) Step mode: The Walking Assist Device influence the user's steps repeatedly to recover the rocker functions(1) which enable the smooth shifting of weight.
(1) Rocker functions are leg motions which enable smooth shifting of weight from heal to sole and sole to toe.
About Honda
Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (TSE:7267/NYSE:HMC/LSE:HNDA.L) is one of the leading manufacturers of automobiles and power products and the largest manufacture of motorcycles in the world. Honda has always sought to provide genuine satisfaction to people worldwide. The result is more than 120 manufacturing facilities in 30 countries worldwide, producing a wide range of products, including motorcycles, ATVs, generators, marine engines, lawn and garden equipment and automobiles that bring the company into contact with over 19 million customers annually. For more information, please visit http://world.honda.com.
Source: Honda
Contact:
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