Aug 27 2008Robotic Legs Allow Paraplegics To Walk
Amit Goffer, who was paralyed in a 1997 accident, has invented ReWalk, which gives paraplegics the chance to walk again. Unfortunately, Goffer can't use the system himself, as it requires the use of your arms, which he doesn't have full use of.
The system, which requires crutches to help with balance, consists of motorized leg supports, body sensors and a back pack containing a computerized control box and rechargeable batteries.
The user picks a setting with a remote control wrist band -- stand, sit, walk, descend or climb -- and then leans forward, activating the body sensors and setting the robotic legs in motion."It raises people out of their wheelchair and lets them stand up straight," Goffer said. "It's not just about health, it's also about dignity."
Damn, that's probably the awesomest thing I've heard all day. Good looking, Goffer. I just hope these things don't fall into the hands of the non-paralyzed, lest they build a superhuman army.
Again, awesome. Hit the jump for three more pictures, the second of which is Goffer himself.
Robotic Suit Helps Paraplegics Walk [aolnews]
Thanks Pat and Vasili, now get to work on one of these for arms.
Reader Comments
1. Icon - August 27, 2008 3:58 PM
No wonder they used a male model for the good shots. I bet he got paralyzed when he was beat intensely with the ugly stick.
Ugly people are funny.
Me and the Geekologie writer don't have to worry about such things. Us pretty people gotta stick together.
Oh, and first. Muhahhaha.
2. Thumperchica - August 27, 2008 4:04 PM
This is awesome. Does it have a "leg dangly roller coaster setting"?
3. Foobar - August 27, 2008 4:06 PM
The bump in the leg is where the gun is stored.
Your move creep.
4. Icon - August 27, 2008 4:12 PM
The wheelchair brand is named Quickie. Who comes up with this stuff? Small kids during christmas time asking their parents for a Quickie.
Oohhhhh lord.
5. Rod - August 27, 2008 4:15 PM
That's fucking wicked. It's just depressing that he created something so badass and is unable to use it himself :(
Also, you're awesome Foobar.
6. bernard fleming - August 27, 2008 4:16 PM
Now I can eat my vegetables and grab a quickie at the same time.
7. Johnnyirish - August 27, 2008 4:23 PM
@icon.. hilarious.
Curious though, where are all the robot apocalypse naysayers hiding?
8. Thumperchica - August 27, 2008 4:32 PM
JohnnyIrish -
It's daylight, they don't come out until they're human watchers go to bed...
9. whos the pat - August 27, 2008 4:33 PM
*yaaawwwnnn
is that icon, trying to be funny again? just leave already.
10. El Basto - August 27, 2008 4:40 PM
Great work Goffer!
11. Icon - August 27, 2008 4:44 PM
@whos the pat
The audience has spoken; I'm here to stay. Plus, you're just jealous you didn't get first. Go cry, cry baby. Cryer McCryface.
12. gingela5 - August 27, 2008 4:50 PM
That's awesome! Just curious, do you think the model is paralyzed or is he just a model?
13. whos the pat - August 27, 2008 5:19 PM
nuh-uh :*(
14. Jay - August 27, 2008 5:37 PM
Kewl, a walking wheel chair. We're gettin there.
15. Uncle Eccoli - August 27, 2008 5:43 PM
If you can call that walking...
16. ... - August 27, 2008 6:23 PM
As someone in a wheelchair myself this new technology is awesome.
@ 15 - it's better than nothing, you have no idea how amazing being able to simply stand up for a period of time would be for so many people.
I hate when people make fun of shit like this, whatever.
and btw, Quickie is a horrible wheelchair brand ;P
17. chaosthirteen - August 27, 2008 6:28 PM
You think that we could actually invest more into helping the handicapped in any way possible. I think that it was good that someone choose to use his mind to find a solution to over come a similar problem, (if not his own problem), than to wallow in self pity. Soon maybe we'll be able to get over the stigma associated with stem cell research, and make significant developments there too.
18. BlightedArt - August 27, 2008 7:18 PM
Hopefully his idea will open more eyes, and allow more investors to help make the concept evolve, so that Goffer himself will be able to walk in the coming years. :) Good stuff man.
19. Spector - August 27, 2008 8:57 PM
That is really incredible, and selfless considering the creator cannot use it himself. Amazing.
20. Miek - August 27, 2008 11:38 PM
Did anyone notice that it says "Quickie" on the wheelchair on the last picture?
21. Constanza - August 28, 2008 2:51 AM
IRON MANNNN
22. SilverSidedDotCom - August 28, 2008 3:27 AM
Awesome idea...and heres a better one....
Arm up paraplegics with these and the make them fight!! Kinda like robot wars... except with cripples!!
23. SlowMonkey - August 28, 2008 6:42 AM
The man in the Exoskeleton IS PARALYZED and this is the first he has walked in years. He is an ex Israeli soldier paralyzed in the line of duty. Goffer himself will never be able to use the Exoskeleton as it requires the use of crutches for balance and Goffer does not have the use of one of his arms.
REUTERS is a good adjunct to the Geekologie.
24. boredom - August 28, 2008 8:11 AM
@johny irish, We're going to use stuff like this to combat the robot apocolypse. Robots be damned we're going to be fighting back. Ripley used it to fight aliens so why not robots.
25. Icon - August 28, 2008 6:23 PM
@20
Welcome to 16 posts ago.
26. hobocop - August 28, 2008 8:37 PM
What's so great about walking? I hate when I have to walk my lazy ass anywhere.
27. Sanya - August 29, 2008 1:03 AM
Honestly, that's just fucking fantastic. That really is the best thing I've heard all week.
28. Rollingpix - August 31, 2008 5:57 PM
I'm also in a chair, and like Mr. Goffer can't use it. @16 and 19 - great comments. I'm also down with combat mode, sounds like fun!