Toyota and RIKEN develops control of Wheelchairs with Brain Waves

The BSI-Toyota Collaboration Centre (BTCC) managed by RIKEN has successfully developed a method to control wheelchairs using brain waves in as little as 125 milliseconds (125/1000th of a second). The rapid processing of the brain waves means that users can navigate the wheelchair as they do in real-time. Brain waves analysis are also displayed on the interface panel so quickly that users will receive nearly instant feedback. According to the press release, the system developed has been tested to have up to 95% of accuracy, which is also one of the highest in the world.

Controlling the wheelchair using brain waves. Photo from Associated Press.

The technology has also been reported around the world by Medgadget and UK’s Daily Mail.

Honda unveils Experimental Walking Assist Device complete with Bodyweight Support System

Honda’s Walking Assistive Device. Picture from Honda.

Honda, the Japanese company more synonymous with automobiles, has unveiled its second mobility assistive mechanism that comes with a system to support body weight, allowing load on the patient’s leg to be reduced while walking up and down stairs and in a semi-crouching position. According to the company, the device will undergo testing in real world scenarios to evaluate its worthiness.

Device shown being used to walk up the stairs. Picture from Honda.

From the pictures provided by Honda above, the new walking assist device incorporates a seat-looking part which helps to support patients through his/her center of gravity, ensuring stability and maximum support. The device also has an extended structure with a frame joining a slip-on shoe that users can simply put on. Another feature is the ability to control the assist force in concert with the movement of the legs. These 2 prominent features are trumped as unique Honda innovations that will make it possible for the device to provide natural and flexible support for various postures and motions.

Sensors imbedded in the shoes of the device will also provide the necessary information to control the force applied by motors that will assist both left and right legs in natural walking for users. A lithium ion battery pack will power the device and is expected to operate around 2 hours on a full charge. Interestingly, another Japanese company developed another assistive device which includes upper body movement that was featured in our blog last month.

Cyberdyne works with Daiwa House to Lease Assistive Robotic Suit

Japan is famous for not just its food, but also its cutting edge technology in robotics. Now a robotic suit designed to assist in mobility is being commercialized by a professor at the University of Tsukuba. Yoshiyuki Sankai, the designer of the robot suit is also the CEO of the university’s spin-off company, Cyberdyne, which will produce the robot suit, dubbed as HAL (Hybrid Assistive Limb).

Cyberdyne's HAL. Picture from Cyberdyne's website.

The company will now team up with Daiwa House Industry Co. to lease these robotic suits which would function to assist the disabled in basic movements such as walking, sitting and standing. HAL works by detecting electric nerve signals from the surface of the skin that are emitted by the brain in the event of a person wanting to move his/her limbs. The controlled power unit will move the desired joint in sync with the wearer’s muscle movement, supporting the wearer’s daily activities. Furthermore, HAL is equipped with a ‘robotic autonomous control system’ that provides human-like movement based on a robotic system which integrally work together with the ‘autonomous control system’. Such a unique hybrid system is expected to be the first of its kind to be featured on a cyborg-type robotic system.

According to press release, Cyberdyne and Daiwa House will lease the suit to care facilities for the elderly on a five-year-contract basis at a cost of 150,000-200,000 yen (US$ 1,460 – 1,960) a month, including maintenance fees. In total, both companies plan to hire out some 500 units annually. Currently, Cyberdyne makes a one-legged and two-legged models of the suit which only helps people with lower body disabilities in walking. However the company expects to to commercialize a full-body model in April 2009 at the earliest that will enable the wearer to lift heavy objects or even people.