In California, a pair of robotic legs are being developed which can help paraplegics and those with other types of spinal injuries walk again. Using a set of what looks like futuristic ski poles, the user can signal to the robotic legs when they’re ready to take a step. The “bionic suit” also consists of a pair of mechanical braces wrapped around one’s legs, and electric muscles that do much of the work of actually walking.
The company behind the suit is called Ekso Bionics, and they’re one of several companies and research labs that are working on creating equipment which will help disabled people or even make the body superhuman. Ekso also happens to be the first company to introduce a self-contained robotic suit, without any tethers to a power supply. Right now they’re just being used for rehabilitation centers, but the hope is that one day people will be wearing them in everyday life.
Ekso was founded seven years ago, and takes its name from the word exoskeleton – makes sense, right? The company started shipping the suits in February, and right now about 15 rehabilitation centers in the United States are using the suits. These things don’t come cheap, though – a suit runs about $140,000 for each one, along with a $10,000 annual service contract.
Reports are stating that patients who haven’t walked in years are able to use the suits on their own in as little as two days. The ultimate hope is that, as technology progresses, the suits will come down in cost and eventually become as commonplace as a smartphone. Pretty cool, huh?
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Petra Industries is the nation's leading electronics distributor for consumer electronics, custom installation, mobile A/V, and appliance accessories.
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