Honda Assists With "Next Steps" For Mankind 57
hedonisticaltruism writes "The CBC reports that Honda has just unveiled a new walking-assist device that enhances the walking motion rather than just providing transportation. The device braces and strengthens natural leg movements primarily in walking and crouching. They're looking to market this to rehabilitation cases, the handicapped and industries requiring repetitive crouching and walking movements such as factory work and delivery services."
Video of device (Score:5, Informative)
swapping one injury for another? (Score:3, Informative)
Sure it's great for your hips and knees, but how many of you ride bikes? How can you spend hours on the saddle like that? Back when I rode a bike, it take long at all for my penis to go completely numb and fall asleep. It's like falling asleep on your arm except ITS YOUR PENIS. And the tingling pins and needles as it "wakes up" is NOT the good tingly feeling down there. Seriously, it's kind of scary. Your inguinal area is not constructed to hold all your weight. I haven't ridden a bike in years because of this.
That robot's saddle doesn't look any better. If I were doing a job that required squatting like that, I would prefer a short stool with casters on it. If their workers have to stand and squat 6 times a minute (just an arbitrary example) all shift, they really need to look at their processes.
I know that this is really only a beta for mobility devices for the elderly. In that case, I would guess grandpa doesn't need his penis anymore anyway.
Re:swapping one injury for another? (Score:4, Informative)
You almost certainly had a poorly fitted bicycle. I know what you are talking about, and felt it before. But my current bike fits me very well, and I can ride for hours comfortably.
Re:swapping one injury for another? (Score:2, Informative)
I spent $40 on a decent Gel seat with some small spings underneath as well. Now I can bike for hours, maybe more but I'm out of energy energy after that point.
I agree though, if it were anything like the seat my bike came with I'd crawl instead.
For once, something usefull from Honda (Score:4, Informative)
I worked for about ten years fixing, what else, Japanese copy machines (yes I know, a low rung of the geek ladder; but, there I was). In truth I really enjoyed the work.
However, I eventually had to quit, like many others, because of my knees. the constant kneeling and crawling got to me and I was, simply, unable to do it any more.
Many of the people I worked with used electronic pain control devices, literally, wired into their bodies. Others consumed significant quantities of pain reducers. Most eventually leave the industry depriving it of many experienced workers. Me, I am back to working on my MBA so I can join the ranks of the undereducated unemployed.
It is possible that, with devices like this, people will be able to do jobs that require frequent, un-natural, movement and positions longer and in significantly greater comfort. Remember, we are leaving the, short lived, era of retirements and pensions. People will need to be able to work far longer into their lives.