Toyota Walk Assist Robot Will Help Disabled and Elderly to Walk and Get Out of Bed

Automaker Toyota has entered the long-term care market with a "walk-assist" device that makes it possible for disabled or elderly individuals to walk and get in or out of bed.

The Walk Assist Robot assists a person who has lost the use of one leg through paralysis due, for instance, to a stroke or polio. The robot is attached to the leg to help the user walk more securely and naturally.

The Walk Assist Robot is attached to one leg to support rehabilitation for function recovery. After rehabilitation, the robot helps with typical activities in daily life such as walking on level ground, climbing and descending stairs, sitting down and getting up from a chair, climbing hills and descending slopes, using a toilet, using a wheelchair, getting in and out of a car's passenger or back seats. With the support from the robot, a user can become more independent for a full and active life.

A position sensor on the thigh and a pressure sensor on the sole of the foot detect the user's thigh position and the weight put on the foot. Based on the user's stride and stride, an actuator at the knee regulates action to achieve the best walking assistance. By calculating walking speed, the user is able to walk naturally and with confidence at a preferred pace.

A special link mechanism at the knee joint ensures a secure lock (without the knee bending) when the leg swings and plants the weight-bearing foot on the ground, so that the user can walk with confidence.

Toyota hopes to commercialize the robotic device at some time after 2013, said that commercial models will be lighter than prototype versions, according to the AP.

Obviously technology innovation will fuel the aging in place movement. It is sad that more innovation is not taking place right here in the U.S. Providers need to start innovating and one way might be in their thinking. Because providers of residential care will increasingly be challenged by low census and a need to understand that they need to provide services across the continuum in order to survive. And that will require innovation beyond just nifty technologies.

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