The event BARRIER FREE 2008 is also known as the International Trade Fair on Barrier Free Equipments and Rehabilitation for the Elderly and the Disabled. It is scheduled to take place at Intex Osaka this April 25 through April 27.

What's interesting about this event is that the Honda company has promised that it will showcase an experimental walking assist device. This is highly useful for the elderly and those with weakened leg muscles.

  

Honda shared that its research on this device alone began since 1999 and it is only now that it has entered the feasibility stage. The company also added that part of the technology behind the device can also be found in the ASIMO humanoid robot.

"Applying cooperative control based on the information obtained from hip angle sensors, the motors provide optimal assistance based on a command from the control CPU," mentioned Honda. The specs of the gadget are as follows:

• Size: 3 sizes (Small, Medium, Large)
• Distance between motors: (S) 312mm, (M) 342mm, (L) 372mm
• Weight: 2.8kg (medium size)
• Drive system (motor/reduction ratio):  Brushless DC motor /10
• Battery (type/capacity): Lithium ion battery/ 22.2V-1Ah
• Operating time per charge: 2 hours (when operated at 4.5km/hour walking)