I just came across this moderately [???] priced ($xx,xxx) exoskeleton called Phoenix from a Berkeley based firm SuitX. Not cheap, but less than the price of a wheelchair friendly van.
I've been interested in exoskeletons for about a decade, but the price was well over $xx,xxx with large annual fees for maintenance.
G
Here are some of the specs as copied from the web page with minor changes to formatting.
The Phoenix exoskeleton is the world's lightest and most advanced exoskeleton designed to help people with mobility disorders to be upright and mobile.
In the clinic, at home, and in the workplace Phoenix has successfully enabled many individuals to stand up, walk about, and speak to peers eye-to-eye.
Phoenix has only two actuators at its hip; the knee joints are designed to allow support during stance and ground clearance during swing.
Right now they are looking for "test pilots" who have spinal cord injuries. I don't think this includes MSers,
More on this site: http://www.suitx.com/phoenix
Major Features:
A modular exoskeleton allowing the user to independently put on and remove each piece.
Weighs only 12.25kg (27 lbs), affording greater agility.
A speed of 1.1 miles/hour (0.5 m/sec) has been clocked by a Phoenix user.
However, the maximum speed depends on the individual user.
On a single charge, Phoenix can walk for 4 hours continuously or 8 hours intermittently.
Phoenix is adjustable for different size users and can be easily configured to fit individual conditions.
An intuitive interface makes it easy for users to control standing up, sitting down and walking.
Phoenix can comfortably be worn while seated in a wheelchair.
CAUTION: Phoenix is an investigational device. Phoenix is limited by Federal law to investigational use.
I've been interested in exoskeletons for about a decade, but the price was well over $xx,xxx with large annual fees for maintenance.
G
Here are some of the specs as copied from the web page with minor changes to formatting.
The Phoenix exoskeleton is the world's lightest and most advanced exoskeleton designed to help people with mobility disorders to be upright and mobile.
In the clinic, at home, and in the workplace Phoenix has successfully enabled many individuals to stand up, walk about, and speak to peers eye-to-eye.
Phoenix has only two actuators at its hip; the knee joints are designed to allow support during stance and ground clearance during swing.
Right now they are looking for "test pilots" who have spinal cord injuries. I don't think this includes MSers,
More on this site: http://www.suitx.com/phoenix
Major Features:
A modular exoskeleton allowing the user to independently put on and remove each piece.
Weighs only 12.25kg (27 lbs), affording greater agility.
A speed of 1.1 miles/hour (0.5 m/sec) has been clocked by a Phoenix user.
However, the maximum speed depends on the individual user.
On a single charge, Phoenix can walk for 4 hours continuously or 8 hours intermittently.
Phoenix is adjustable for different size users and can be easily configured to fit individual conditions.
An intuitive interface makes it easy for users to control standing up, sitting down and walking.
Phoenix can comfortably be worn while seated in a wheelchair.
CAUTION: Phoenix is an investigational device. Phoenix is limited by Federal law to investigational use.
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