Robotic shorts as a (future) mobility aid

[Zebra]

I haven't done a deep dive on this product yet, so I don't know if it actually works and/or when it will be available to the general population.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/wellness/2024/11/23/robotic-shorts-walking-energy/

I share this in the spirit of hopefulness for those of us anywhere on the spectrum of weak and unsteady legs.

A while back I recall reading about hiking pants that had limited exoskeleton properties. I was angry because it was intended to help able bodied folks hike father and faster, BUT perhaps such pants might be able to help those of us who need help getting from our beds to the bathroom.

 

[Wishful]

I also saw a recent announcement of an exoskeleton shoulder intended to relieve arm strain for tasks such as bolting parts onto car underbodies (overhead work). This sort of support should become more available in the near future. Maybe someone will make the effort to design systems for people of limited physical ability.

 

[Florida Guy]

Ive seen that too. I saw a set that warehouse guys were using to pick up and move heavy boxes. I think this will be the future for handicapped people of which there are a lot.

A wheelchair just lets you move across a flat surface. Having a whole body exoskeletin would mean people could walk again who had weak legs. Healthy people would use it to hike long distances. It would allow people to have a normal life. Walking would be so easy pw/ME could go places and not worry about using up their energy allowance

I dont need one now but when I go to the Grocery store I always look for an electric chair to use. One day those exoskelletins will be commonplace

 

[Wishful]

I dont need one now but when I go to the Grocery store I always look for an electric chair to use.

"Electric chair" used to mean a form of execution.

I'm less convinced that exoskeletons will be common for "going for a hike". Surely it will be difficult, and require expensive custom fitting, to deal with the places the exoskeleton presses or rubs against. I assume that constant-wear prosthetics do become comfortable over time, but not if you used them just occasionally.

 

[Florida Guy]

There will be those difficulties, yes. Its much the same as using prosthetics. Another problem is the power supply. We might wear a battery pack on our backs and how long will they last? If it lasts a full day or longer that will work. The suits will have sensors and detect what we want to do and amplify it. It will also maintain balance and not let us fall. It will have electric motors that use leverage to lift us up and to walk

At first the devices will be big, bulky and not so comfortable. As time goes on and technology improves, they will be hardly noticeable, and look like a heavy garment or might be under our clothes. People who lost the ability to walk will walk again opening a new world for them. It will extend your energy and allow you to do more things.

If they were available today, I doubt I would get one. It would let me go out and socialize, go to events and so on. But the main problem I found was not getting there and back, it was that socializing became draining and I would sit there wishing I was back home and I would leave after a half hour or so. Having a suit or exo skeleton would be handy if you have problems walking. People who have OI might find they don't get so dizzy standing up. I would not get one of those suits but I do use the chairs at the grocery, it saves a lot of effort. I call them electric chairs because why not

 

[L'engle]

I was angry because it was intended to help able bodied folks hike father and faster,

Yes I've seen a lot of things developed over the years that were marketed that way. As sports help for healthy people, not as something that could be life-saving for disabled or poor people. Things like that box you stick your hand in to combat heat stroke. Not sure what ever came of it.

 

[Florida Guy]

One drawback is that it may make people lazy and use it all the time. If you dont use your muscles they atrophy and lose strength

They market things to the general Public because thats where the money is. The disabled are a small market and they dont want people to think its only for them or for medical patients, they hope many others will use it. If someone thinks its only for handicapped they wont use it

The battery will be heavy and lithium is explosive and dangerous. We need new tech and better batteries. If that is solved, electric cars will become practical too