A Robotic Exoskeleton Has Been Unveiled So Disabled Kids Could Walk Again
- 8 years ago
The Spanish National Research Council and its spin-off company Marsi Bionics have developed a robotic exoskeleton that aims to help kids with spinal muscular atrophy walk.
Children with the degenerative disease spinal muscular atrophy may be able to regain at least some of their mobility through a robotic suit.
The Spanish National Research Council has announced through a press release that it and spin-off company Marsi Bionics have developed the first exoskeleton to help kids with the condition walk.
The brace features adjustable straps and rods so that it can securely support the patient’s torso and lower body.
Each leg contains five motors, which, as the accompanying video notes, “act as artificial muscles supplying the correct degree of articulation and movement to the legs.”
Once the small, on-board computer senses the child’s movements, it sends this information to the motors which then respond accordingly.
The suit is designed to accommodate children from 3- to 14-years old and has telescopic capabilities to adjust to their growing bodies.
As the press release explains, the team hopes the device will be able to help these often immobile kids walk and prevent related health problems like scoliosis.
The patented exoskeleton “is currently in the preclinical phase.”
Children with the degenerative disease spinal muscular atrophy may be able to regain at least some of their mobility through a robotic suit.
The Spanish National Research Council has announced through a press release that it and spin-off company Marsi Bionics have developed the first exoskeleton to help kids with the condition walk.
The brace features adjustable straps and rods so that it can securely support the patient’s torso and lower body.
Each leg contains five motors, which, as the accompanying video notes, “act as artificial muscles supplying the correct degree of articulation and movement to the legs.”
Once the small, on-board computer senses the child’s movements, it sends this information to the motors which then respond accordingly.
The suit is designed to accommodate children from 3- to 14-years old and has telescopic capabilities to adjust to their growing bodies.
As the press release explains, the team hopes the device will be able to help these often immobile kids walk and prevent related health problems like scoliosis.
The patented exoskeleton “is currently in the preclinical phase.”