11 replies to this topic

[kansasmom]

I've seen quite a few devices which seem to be coming up to aid with walking. This one, called the Ekso Bionics, is going into production in 2012. Is it coming to a center near you?

http://spectrum.ieee...llo-exoskeleton

[greybeard]

Only US $100 000. A snip.

[Speed]

greybeard, on 04 January 2012 - 04:45 PM, said:

Only US $100 000. A snip.

Chump change....lol. Who can afford that?

[Ches]

greybeard, on 04 January 2012 - 04:45 PM, said:

Only US $100 000. A snip.

Not only is the initial price tag high, I remember reading about one of them and it required $2,000 in annual maintenance, AND it only had a life of about 7 years!

They are fun to think about though, I'd really really love to feel like RoboCop out at the gun range!

[Bethann]

That would be great but to expensive for me.

[mcferguson]

Bethann, on 04 January 2012 - 07:28 PM, said:

That would be great but to expensive for me.

pretty much too expensive for all of us.

[nomis]

A promising, apparently unbiased website about currently available exoskelletons
http://www.exoskelet....com/index.html

I'm not overly impressed with those that use crutches because it severely restricts activity and excludes those with under-strength upper limbs. Only the Rex, that I'm aware of, is totally free from curtches and also is the only one navigated by a joystick (rather than muscle controlled sensors) which means it's an option for some quads. I know of a C6 who uses a Rex.

[wheelie182]

I'd love to try out one of these things, but that's as far as it goes for me. I think it would feel absolutely great to be moving in the upright position again, but a wheelchair still seems so much more manoeuvrable, quicker to get around in, easier to fix/maintain, cheaper, more reliable, powerless, easier to transfer in and out of and the list goes on.

So yeah, I guess I dont see it as being all that practical at this early stage.

[greybeard]

If they ever get to be any good, expect to see all mention of them disappearing from public view when the military grab them.

[nomis]

greybeard, on 05 January 2012 - 11:25 AM, said:

If they ever get to be any good, expect to see all mention of them disappearing from public view when the military grab them.

It's already happening. "A spokesperson from Raytheon has communicated to me that their Sarcos exoskeleton is being developed only for military use and that there are no current plans for development for disability purposes." -- http://www.exoskeleton-suit.com

[wheelie182]

if i remember correctly it was the military doing this kind of thing way before it was introduced to SCI

[isobar]

probably too expensive at this point but at least tech is coming along to get people up.