The Honda Motor Company will begin collaborative testing of its experimental walking device with the Shinseikai Medical Group at Kasumigaseki-Minami Hospital. . Click image to enlarge

Tokyo, Japan – The Honda Motor Company will begin collaborative testing of its experimental walking device with the Shinseikai Medical Group at Kasumigaseki-Minami Hospital. The device is intended to support people who are able to walk but have weak leg muscles, such as the elderly.

The compatibility and effectiveness of the device will be evaluated during rehabilitation training at the hospital. The testing will also identify and study areas of effectiveness and potential issues with the help of trainees, physical therapists, doctors and researchers.

Honda began research on a walking assist device in 1999; the technology was developed through the cumulative study of human walking alongside the research and development for Honda’s advanced humanoid robot ASIMO. The device lengthens the user’s strider when compared to the stride without the device, providing ease of walking.