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Honda Walking Assist Device Showcased in New York

Honda’s experimental Walking Assist Device is being showcased at New York’s Smithsonian Institution, with the concept awaiting to amaze visitors until January 2011 as part of the “Why Design Now?” exhibit.

The “Why Design Now?” exhibition is the fourth installation in the series, which was introduced by Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum in 2000. The event is aimed at showcasing the latest in contemporary design evolution.

The exhibition will showcase the works of international designers that demonstrate the value of design in helping solve some of the world’s social and environmental problems across accessibility, sustainability, conservation, fair trade, education and health,” stated the press release.

Honda’s Walking Assist Device with the body weight support system was presented by the company in 2008. It helps cushion body weight to reduce the load on the user’s legs during walking, also assisting the user while going up and down stairs and in a semi-crouching position. The system is aimed at reducing the level of fatigue and decrease physical exertion.

The device is comprised of a seat, a frame and two shoes. It includes a mechanism that directs the assisting force toward the user’s center of gravity. This allows the device to provide natural assistance in a wide range of postures and motions.

Honda made the first steps into researching walking device in 1999, with the company having the goal of providing users with the joy of mobility.

If you want to see Honda’s Walking Assist Device in action, you can check out the video bellow.



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About the author: Andrei Tutu
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In his quest to bring you the most impressive automotive creations, Andrei relies on learning as a superpower. There's quite a bit of room in the garage that is this aficionado's heart, so factory-condition classics and widebody contraptions with turbos poking through the hood can peacefully coexist.
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