Honda Begins Leasing of Walking Assist Device in Japan
Posted by: Tim Tibbetts on 05/29/2013 06:37 AM
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Honda Motor Company has begun leasing up to a total of 100 units* of the Walking Assist Device to hospitals in Japan that provide rehabilitation training / physical therapy in the area of walking, to monitor its use and verify the practicality of the device.
The compact design of the device and overall weight of less than 2.6 kg were achieved through the adoption of thin motors and a control system that were developed independently by Honda, as well as a simple design that enables the device to be worn with belts. As a result, the device is less of a burden on the user and suitable for various body sizes.
From the early stages of the research and development of the Walking Assist Device, Honda has been working together with medical corporations, businesses and research institutions. Through this process, Honda has received positive feedback from recipients of walking training / therapy, physical therapists, medical doctors and researchers who acknowledge certain effectiveness and compatibility of the device in the rehabilitation.
To date, Honda has conducted collaborative research on rehabilitation training / physical therapy using the Walking Assist Device in seven hospitals. Honda is now inviting a broader range of hospitals to participate in this monitoring process by leasing a total of 100 units of the Walking Assist Device to gain more opinion and feedback from real-world users to further improve the functions and usability of the device.
Based on the spirit upon which Honda was founded - "utilizing technology to help people" - Honda will continue its proactive efforts to realize practical use of products useful to people.
It still has some limitations including temperature and humidity, for example, as seen in the official specifications:
Size of hip frame - M-size (hip width: 340 mm)
L-size - (hip width: 380 mm)
Weight - Less than 2.6 kg (including battery)
Operating time per charge - More than 60 minutes
Battery - Lithium-ion battery, 22.2V-1Ah
Use environment - Indoor or outdoor (except in rain) flat surfaces
Appropriate temperature range for storage - Between -20 C and 55 C (approximately -4 F and 131 F)
Appropriate temperature range for use - Between 0 C and 30 C (approximately 32 F and 86 F)
Appropriate humidity range for use - Between 30% and 85%
The compact design of the device and overall weight of less than 2.6 kg were achieved through the adoption of thin motors and a control system that were developed independently by Honda, as well as a simple design that enables the device to be worn with belts. As a result, the device is less of a burden on the user and suitable for various body sizes.
From the early stages of the research and development of the Walking Assist Device, Honda has been working together with medical corporations, businesses and research institutions. Through this process, Honda has received positive feedback from recipients of walking training / therapy, physical therapists, medical doctors and researchers who acknowledge certain effectiveness and compatibility of the device in the rehabilitation.
To date, Honda has conducted collaborative research on rehabilitation training / physical therapy using the Walking Assist Device in seven hospitals. Honda is now inviting a broader range of hospitals to participate in this monitoring process by leasing a total of 100 units of the Walking Assist Device to gain more opinion and feedback from real-world users to further improve the functions and usability of the device.
Based on the spirit upon which Honda was founded - "utilizing technology to help people" - Honda will continue its proactive efforts to realize practical use of products useful to people.
It still has some limitations including temperature and humidity, for example, as seen in the official specifications:
Size of hip frame - M-size (hip width: 340 mm)
L-size - (hip width: 380 mm)
Weight - Less than 2.6 kg (including battery)
Operating time per charge - More than 60 minutes
Battery - Lithium-ion battery, 22.2V-1Ah
Use environment - Indoor or outdoor (except in rain) flat surfaces
Appropriate temperature range for storage - Between -20 C and 55 C (approximately -4 F and 131 F)
Appropriate temperature range for use - Between 0 C and 30 C (approximately 32 F and 86 F)
Appropriate humidity range for use - Between 30% and 85%
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