An EV with the potential to become a best seller overnight.
Honda Motor Company today started leasing its so-called Walking Assist Device to hospitals in Japan that provide walking rehabilitation and physical therapy. The latest practical step mass toward production follows Honda’s development of the Walking Assist Device in 1999.
As with ASIMO, Honda’s famous humanoid robot, Walking Assist adopts cooperative control technology that was developed based on Honda’s cumulative study of human walking. The control computer activates motors based on information obtained from hip angle sensors while walking to improve the timing of each assisted leg lifting from the ground and extending forward to produce a longer stride.
The compact design of the electric vehicle 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. (Read AutoInformed on Honda Uni-Cub Electric Unicycle Enters Testing in June)
The latest version also has a simplified design that enables the device to be worn with belts. As a result, Walking Assist is less of a burden on the user and suitable for more body sizes than earlier prototypes. Test walks by AutoInformed of an earlier model at the Society of Automotive Engineers Convention revealed a surprisingly good EV – once you let the device take over.
From the early stages of the research and development of the Walking Assist, Honda has been working with medical corporations, businesses and research institutions. Through this process, Honda has received positive feedback from recipients of walking therapy and their physical therapists, medical doctors and researchers who Honda says acknowledge the effectiveness of the device in rehabilitation.
To date, Honda has conducted collaborative research in seven hospitals. Now, more hospitals to will participate in this program by leasing 100 units of the Walking Assist Device to gain more feedback from real-world users.
Size of hip frame |
M-size (hip width: 340 mm) L-size (hip width: 380 mm) |
Weight |
Less than 2.6 kg with battery |
Operating time per charge |
More than 60 minutes |
Battery |
Lithium-ion, 22.2V-1Ah |
Use environment |
Indoor/outdoor (except in rain) flat surfaces |
Appropriate temperature range for storage |
Between -20 C and 55 C or -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% |
