ReWalk has built a stair-climbing exoskeleton, enabling a paralyzed man to walk again

Engadget

4 Oct 201606:33

Summary

TLDRAndreas, the product manager for Ewok, discusses the development of a groundbreaking exoskeleton designed for individuals with spinal cord injuries. This innovative device allows users to stand, walk, and navigate stairs, significantly improving their quality of life. With features such as motorized joints and user-friendly remote control, the exoskeleton is built for the competitive 'exoskeleton race.' Andreas emphasizes the device's unique capabilities and the collaborative efforts that have shaped its development, showcasing the potential impact on users and the pride in participating in this pioneering technological advancement.

Takeaways

😀 Andreas is the product manager for Ewok, focusing on spinal cord injury products in Europe.
🏃‍♂️ The mission is to enhance the health and life of patients with lower leg disabilities.
🤖 An exoskeleton is being developed to help spinal cord injured individuals stand, walk, and even climb stairs.
⚙️ The exoskeleton features motorized hip, knee, and ankle joints, as well as sensors to detect user position and joint relationships.
🏆 Ewok participates in the Cybertron exoskeleton race designed for individuals with lower limb disabilities.
🔧 The device's software algorithms are complex, particularly for enabling stair climbing.
👥 The first European user of the device, who contributed to its early development, was highlighted for his expertise.
🛠️ The remote control allows users to select actions like standing or sitting, providing autonomy.
🥇 Competing in the race fosters a competitive spirit, aiming to be the first to succeed with the exoskeleton.
🌟 This event marks a significant milestone in robotic technology, showcasing devices competing against each other.

Q & A

What is the main focus of Andreas's role at Ewok?
-Andreas is the product manager and team leader for the Cyber Lawn, responsible for developing products for spinal cord-injured patients in Europe.
What is the mission statement of the Ewok team?
-The mission statement is to improve the health and life of patients with lower leg disabilities.
What capabilities does the exoskeleton being developed by Ewok have?
-The exoskeleton enables spinal cord-injured individuals to stand up, walk, turn, and even walk up stairs.
What are the key features of the exoskeleton's design?
-The exoskeleton includes motorized legs with hip and knee joints, adaptable ankle joints, and sensors to detect the user's position and joint relationships.
What is the exoskeleton race mentioned in the transcript?
-The exoskeleton race, referred to as Cybertron, is designed for users with lower limb disabilities, specifically those with complete spinal cord injuries.
How does the user control the exoskeleton?
-Users control the exoskeleton using a remote control to select actions like standing or walking.
What is the unique advantage of Ewok's exoskeleton compared to other systems?
-Ewok's exoskeleton has a unique strength in its ability to navigate stairs, which many other systems cannot do.
Who was the first person in Europe to test the exoskeleton?
-The first person in Europe to test the device was a user who played a crucial role in its early development stages.
What challenges does the software for the exoskeleton face?
-The software algorithms required to operate the exoskeleton, particularly for stair navigation, are quite complicated.
What is the significance of the competition for Ewok?
-Participating in the exoskeleton race is important for Ewok as it fosters a competitive spirit and aims to position their product as a leading solution in the market.