Honda to demonstrate walking assist prototype devices in the U.S.

American Honda Motor Co will be demonstrating two of their new prototype walking assist devices for the first time in the U.S. at the upcoming 2009 Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) World Congress to be held at the Detroit Cobo Center from April 20th to the 23rd.

The two devices, the Stride Management Assist and the Bodyweight Support Assist, are designed to help support walking for the elderly and for people with weakened leg muscles. Here’s basic info on the prototype devices.

Features of the Stride Management Assist prototype include:

Lightweight wearable device for people who have weakened leg muscles but who can still walk on their own
Hip angle sensors obtain information about the user’s walking motions which then helps the CPU adjust and apply the correct amount of “cooperative control”
User’s walking stride is lengthened and walking pace regulated

Features of the Bodyweight Support Assist prototype include:

Designed to help people with weakened leg muscles but also helpful during physically demanding activities
Supports bodyweight to reduce the load on the user’s legs while walking, going up and down stairs or standing in a semi-crouching position
Reduces load on leg muscles and joins

Members of the media will also get a chance to check out the new prototypes in New York before the Detroit show. Great to see