eLEGS Exoskeleton Allows Paraplegics To Walk

Zothecula writes "At a press conference held recently in San Francisco, California's Berkeley Bionics unveiled its eLEGS exoskeleton. The computer-controlled device is designed to be worn by paraplegics, providing the power and support to get them out of their wheelchairs, into a standing posture, and walking – albeit with the aid of crutches. The two formerly wheelchair-bound 'test pilots' in attendance did indeed use eLEGS to walk across the stage, in a slow-but-steady gait similar to that of full-time crutch-users."

Allow me

[Anonymous Coward]

Allow me to be the first to welcome our previously wheelchair bound overlords

Dr. Miles Hawkins sues for prior art

[JesseL]

How long until some gimpy vigilante begins using one?

Re:Allow me

[Kepesk]

Now if there were only an exoskeleton for my brother's butt...

(Sorry for the shameless plug; I couldn't resist)

Re:Are you saying it's from the future?

[Anonymous Coward]

once the disabled become self aware, we are all toast.

eLEGs for the masses

[captain_dope_pants]

But the cool arty types will get iLEGs

Tell me I'm not the only one

[GMFTatsujin]

Did anyone else miscue the title as "eLEGO exoskeleton?"

Awesome unlock for Hawking, dude. LEGO Physicist is the funnest game ever!

Ooh Lookout Gromit

[thewils]

It's the WRONG TROUSERS!

This is the future

[Anonymous Coward]

Am I the only one who got the image of Stephen Hawking sitting inside the frame of a giant futuristic battle robot, blasting turbolasers at everyone when I read the headline?

Re:This,

[mdm-adph]

But you see, that's the thing -- we get this AND twitter in the "new future." Now, not only will paraplegics walk, but their legs can automatically tweet where they're going.

Was that a drive by...

[WED Fan]

...butt plug?

Re:WTF

[couchslug]

"where* do real nerds hang out these days?"

They hang out on /b/. Trust me on this.

Re:Who will be able to use these

[youn]

Thanks for the link. I find it ironic the CEO of a robotics company is called Bender :)... don't tell me it's bender from the future who's got a human exo skin to loo human :)

Another benefit...

[RAM_Doubler]

Use of the suit permits endless use of the phrase, "Get away from her, you bitch!"

Re:This,

[gstoddart]

Same here! I've long said that when I'm old and feeble, I plan to have a powered exoskeleton that will keep me active and let me do whatever I damn well please.

See, I want a powered exoskeleton now, before I'm old and feeble ... so I can do whatever I damn well please.