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."
What about us lazy people? (Score:4, Funny)
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Obama's plan for "Universal Honda Walking Asistants" will be released soon.
I, for one ... (Score:2, Funny)
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..invented by shampoo, no less.
Could really see this work, despite looking dorky (Score:5, Interesting)
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Skiing. This could be a great aid to skiiers who are otherwise fit enough to ski but have leg strength issues.
Of course, once a ski-capable device hits the market, you're gonna have perfectly fit thrillseekers use it to ski extreme terrain.
(Not that there's anything wrong with that.)
Maybe easy on the ass, but its murder on the balls (Score:3, Funny)
From just looking at the picture, it appears that the device is anchored to the crotch. And from the prominence of that guys package being crunched and the expression on his face, I don't mean that in a GOOD way.
Re:Maybe easy on the ass, but its murder on the ba (Score:5, Funny)
Actually, in Japan, that is a GOOD thing.
Not only does it help you walk, but it crushes your balls as well.
A privilege usually reserved for the executive class.
Re:Maybe easy on the ass, but its murder on the ba (Score:2)
you've got it all wrong. that's a feature.
it's designed that way to serve as a protective crotch guard (against stray groin-kicks from irate female co-workers who are sick and tired of you pretending to be a sex-droid) and to conceal untimely erections--which will bound to occur since the unit is also designed to deliver a very sensual scrotal massage while you're walking.
Fallen and can't get up... (Score:3, Interesting)
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Video of device (Score:5, Informative)
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This makes me think of Wallace and Gromit. [imdb.com]
"It's the wrong trousers Gromit, and they've gone wrong!"
Can't wait till I get old... (Score:3, Funny)
Me: Yep, back in my day we used to walk!
Kids: Grandma! Grandpas making up stories again!
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.
addendum (Score:2)
this is the article I was referring to in the above post about the poor fellow squatting at work:
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/11/07/honda_walker_exoskeleton/ [theregister.co.uk]
I guess I should have previewed my comment.
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you probably want to look into another saddle?
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.
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I haven't ridden a bike in years because of this
why haven't you investigated some bike saddles especially designed to solve this issue? For example the adamo
http://www.ismseat.com/products.htm [ismseat.com]
is what I use and works great for that (as long as you give it a few weeks to acclimatize your 'sit bones' on), no numbness whatsoever regardless how long you ride.
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My god, the bike seat has a space for your gigglestick and funberries. No more scrunchy balls.
I was once riding my bike and saw a pretty high curb. I thought I could just power up it, but instead my weight shifted forward. Back wheel picked up and I got anally probed by the banana seat. Then the back wheel came down and I knocked my nuggets on the bar.
I mean, with that seat, well... at least next time my bike rapes me, I might like it.
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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.
From a robot's point of view: (Score:1)
Assrobots (Score:1)
First thing I'm gonna do (Score:3, Funny)
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Just the beginning... (Score:1)
Cyberdyne? HAL? (Score:3, Funny)
"Japanese robot company Cyberdyne... a belted device called HAL..."
Cyberdyne? HAL?? There's no _way_ i'm strapping one of these to my crotch!
I'm sorry Dave. Hasta la Vista, baby.
what is it's power source? (Score:4, Interesting)
Lucky crips (Score:2)
I want something that will allow me to run at 60km/h jump 3m straight up and lift a car with my legs.
Honda assists in population control (Score:1)
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It wasn't Honda! (Score:2, Funny)
stay in crouching positions? (Score:1)
Why do the Japanese want us to stay in crouching positions?
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"...is designed to support body weight, reduce stress on the knees and help people get up steps and stay in crouching positions" Why do the Japanese want us to stay in crouching positions?
Crouching. Y'know, like the tigers. And the dragons.
Actually, TFA says why: many Honda factory workers have to crouch for extended periods to perform assembly or inspections beneath automobile frames. This kind of gives them a built-in, portable chair.
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.
Great for Special Forces. (Score:3, Interesting)
Uses probably not apparent to the Honda engineers: great for special forces soldiers who have to run around craggy, rocky mountainous terrain.
I'd be surprised if the US Army isn't looking into something like this for special forces who do a lot of walking and crouching.
A slightly modified design could incorporate a running assist for a soldier to quickly accelerate to 20mph while running for a sustained distance.
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A slightly modified design could incorporate a running assist for a soldier to quickly accelerate to 20mph while running for a sustained distance.
I was thinking that it could help me get that 20-foot vertical leap I've always wanted.
PORTAL !!! (Score:1)