American Honda Motor Co., Inc. is
demonstrating its prototype walking assist devices for the first time in the
U.S. The devices will be part of a technical exhibition at the 2009 Society of
Automotive Engineers (SAE) World Congress at Detroit's Cobo Center April 20 -
23. Prior to the Detroit event, Honda will demonstrate the devices for selected
media in New York.
Intended to support walking for the elderly, people with weakened leg muscles
the devices are currently being tested in real-world conditions to evaluate
their effectiveness. The company has applied for more than 130 patents for the
devices.
The first device, Stride
Management Assist, is a lightweight, wearable device designed for people
with weakened leg muscles, but who can still walk on their own. It obtains
information about the user's walking motions from hip angle sensors. Based on
the information, the CPU applies cooperative control and calculates the amount
and timing of the assistance to be provided. With the device's assistance, the
user's stride is lengthened compared to their normal stride and the walking pace
regulated, thereby making it easier to walk.
The second device, Bodyweight
Support Assist, is also designed to help people with weakened leg muscles,
but may also be helpful during some physically demanding activities It supports
bodyweight to reduce the load on the user's legs while walking, going up and
down stairs, and while standing in a semi-crouching position. The load on leg
muscles and joints (in the hip, knees, and ankles) is reduced. This device has a
simple structure consisting of seat, frame, and shoes, and the user can put it
on by simply wearing the shoes and lifting the seat into position.
As a company that values mobility, Honda began research into a walking device
in 1999. The cumulative study of human walking along with research and
development of technologies conducted for Honda's advanced humanoid robot, ASIMO, made these developments possible.
Honda is the host company of the 2009 SAE World Congress this year, themed
"Racing to Green Mobility," and is presenting more than 70 technical papers at
the event in addition to exhibiting a range of innovative technologies and
products, including the Walking Assist Devices.
About Honda
Honda (NYSE: HMC) began operations in the U.S. in 1959 with the establishment
of American Honda Motor Co., Inc., Honda's first overseas subsidiary. Honda
began U.S. production in Ohio in 1979, and began U.S. automobile production in
1982 at its Marysville, Ohio, auto plant. The company has invested more than
$10.6 billion in its North America operations, including 14 major manufacturing
facilities employing more than 35,000 associates and producing more than 4
million products annually, including more than 1.4 million Honda and Acura
automobiles as well as motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles, personal watercraft,
lawn mowers, general-purpose engines and other power equipment products. Honda
currently partners with more than 600 North American suppliers and on a global
basis purchased more than $18.8 billion in parts and materials from North
American suppliers last year.
