Robotic Legs Instead of Wheelchairs

smooth wombat writes "Atsuo Takanishi, an engineering professor at Tokyo's Waseda University, has demonstrated a pair of robotic legs that may one day eliminate the need for wheelchairs. At the demonstration in Tokyo, one of Takanishi's students rode the robot -- which bears some resemblance to the mechanical "Wrong Trousers" of Wallace and Gromit fame -- up and down a staircase and along a pebbly path outdoors. A picture of the demonstration may be found here " Still waiting for my Gundam but that's a good start.

Comments

Astounding!

[mcai8rw2]

This development is simply brilliant. It shows continued progress in the development of disability products.

I would have thought the main problem with such a device is balance. Bi pedal movements main hang up is balance, and as such, having such a top heavy unit must be a fairly difficlut task to combat.

Imagine it! the worlds buildings are just getting started in providing adequate service levels for wheelchair users, and the japanese bring out a unit that need no ramps!

D'Oh!