Toyota develops robot leg to help disabled people walk again

Toyota is working on a way to help people with paralysis from the knee to walk again. A kind of robotically controlled leg brace works with sensors to aid the wearer’s walking, and contains a motor to bend and straighten the leg.

The manufacturer collaborated with Fujita Health University for the so-called Welwalk WW-1000, and a demonstration model was jointly shown at Toyota headquarters this week, the AP news agency reported. The robotic leg is intended for people who are paralyzed on one side, for example as a result of a stroke; this means that it is not possible to control both legs at the same time.

The Welwalk works by supporting the wearer with a kind of harness and by measuring the movements with sensors. That is why the robotic leg does not work in people who are completely paralyzed. The motor in the system ensures that the knee is bent and stretched again on the basis of movements.

In addition to providing walking support, the Welwalk can also be used for rehabilitation in patients who have to learn to walk again due to a condition. Toyota plans to hand out 100 robotic legs to medical institutions, which will still have to pay for it; it concerns a direct payment of 8,700 euros converted, after which approximately 3000 euros still have to be settled per month. It is unclear when Toyota expects to be able to supply the Welwalk on a large scale.