Here is a new product that looks like it could help some of us....and this one is available now.

It's called ReWalk. Here are some links:

http://www.argomedtec.com/products.asp

http://www.newdisability.com/exoskeletonsuit.htm

ReWalk certainly looks like it beats the heck out of using a wheelchair and I will be investigating it.

Here are two more updates on mobility devices. First, one on ReWalk.

And second, an even more interesting one called Ekso, which is described as beneficial for patients with "lower-extremity weakness or paralysis." Sounds like it might help some of us.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Dan B,

Dan, I love this stuff because it will some day provide additional affordable mobility for those of us with neurodegenerative disorders. Thanks for sharing.

Here is a good youtube video on Ekso
Youtube video

I have just watch this video.Thanks for sharing this.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: KDA Adminstrator,

Here's a better story on Ekso.

And another one on Ekso.

The New York Times had a story on the Ekso exoskeleton: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/12/technology/wearable-robots-that-can-help-people-walk-again.html
Here's a quotation:

quote:

Russ Angold, a founder and the chief technology officer of the company, predicted that exoskeletons, like today’s smartphones, would slim down and get more powerful and affordable, becoming part of everyday life.

“The dream at the end of the day is be able to walk into a sporting goods store, like an REI, and pick up an exoskeleton,” Mr. Angold said. “They’re like the jeans of the future.”

I certainly hope so!

Here's an update on ReWalk. In June 2014, ReWalk was FDA-approved for home use, along with its previous approval for institutional use. Details at:
http://bionicsresearch.com/
http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/...ements/ucm402970.htm
For the time being, ReWalk appears to be in use mainly by people with spinal cord injuries, but there is significant optimism that it will be usable for other disorders too.

The cost of a ReWalk system is reported to be around $70,000 presently, but that will reduce over time, as manufacturing ramps up. No word yet on whether it may be covered by medical insurance.

Also, the ReWalk Robotics company went public on the stock exchange September 12, 2014; ticker symbol RWLK.

I had an in person demonstration of the ReWalk. This device is designed to enable people unable to walk, such as a severe lower spinal injury, to walk a little bit. The person demoing it was a paraplegic with excellent upper body strength using forearm braced canes. The ReWalk legs assisted but he relied heavily on his arm strength and the canes to move. The ReWalk legs appeared heavy and cumbersome. They currently did not provide the ability to use stairs though they said that was a desired feature being worked on.

I believe there is great future potential in this sort of device and have been researching building my own though it's more pipe dream at this stage. My desire is for something exceptionally light and low powered that amplifies my movements with a modest assist. Just enough that I can walk a little further with less fatigue and more readily do things like sitting/kneeling on the floor and standing back up and climbing stairs.