RoboWalker A new hope for the Disabled

RoboWalker There are 1.7 million people in the United States suffering from weakness in their lower extremities. Debilitation of this nature can have many causes including cerebral vascular trauma (stroke), post-polio syndrome, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, and aging. In addition 200,000 Americans have no control of their lower limbs due to spinal cord injury and are therefore confined to a wheelchair. With continually increasing life expectancies and the aging of the population, the affected number of individuals is expected to grow dramatically in the next 20 years. Regardless of the cause, the end result is the same: restricted mobility with significant psychological and financial effects. Using 21st century robotics technology, Yobotics, Inc., is developing a powered, wearable device called the RoboWalker. The RoboWalker will augment or replace muscular functions of the lower extremities. With our intimate knowledge of the biomechanics of human locomotion and experience in walking robotics, we are uniquely positioned to develop this device. If successful, the RoboWalker would be the first commercially available, powered orthotic device of its kind, representing a leap forward from the current state-of-the-art, which consists of only passive orthotic devices. The RoboWalker could become the preferred means of locomotion for hundreds of thousands of disabled Americans, significantly improving their quality of life, independence, productivity, and general health. Additionally, this medical breakthrough would save insurance companies and the social welfare system millions of dollars in modifications to improve mobility (i.e., wheelchair-friendly houses, stair lifts, car lifts, home aids, etc.), and provide relief to the health care system. The initial stages of the RoboWalker were funded by a non-profit organization called Powered Prosthetics, Inc. We are currently looking for further funding for the next stage of development to turn the RoboWalker into a viable product. Articles: Boston Globe Business Section, August 27, 2001. "Robots to Wear" by Scott Kisner. Wired Magazine: September 2000 Archive. "The Next Step" by Paul Boutin. Yobotics Cofounder and Cyborg wannabe Dan Paluska on the Cover of Wired with M2, the Yobotics flagship biped robot. Photo by Peter Menzel. M2 was developed at the MIT Leg Laboratory. Yobotics is currently licensing and marketing the robot. Radio Shows: Chris Morse on the Damon Vickers Show. July 11, 2001. [4.3MB RealMedia]