Exoskeleton - Good/Bad ?
Hello every one,
I started with a search and found nothing in this site and I think the people here will be the experts.
So, my partner has limited mobility for multiple reasons. She can transfer, walk two - three steps unaided and has been like this for eighteen years but before this was fully active. She also can only use one arm and hand so this also complicates things, but we get on and do what we can.
Now for the question/discussion. Been seeing a lot of these on the news and adverts and they seem too be two classes. 1 - the rehab group AND 2 - the help you live.
The prices appear to low, the like is it a scam type price. This is just my opinion. The questions below are just what I thinking currently more may come.
Has anyone used one?
Has anyone got one?
Are they custom only?
What are the limits?
Seen ranges up to 11 miles, will this be like chairs and depend on all sorts?
Would you want one?
Ohhhh and one price I have seen was Β£600 -Β£900, what do you all think, PRO's/CON's/UNEXPECTED?
Comments
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I don't know much about exoskeletons but I'm very interested to hear what other people think. I was very surprised to see that you can buy them on Amazon! They seem like they'd be great to help people who have mobility issues, but the cost does seem quite high at the moment.
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The one I have just seen online, the user appears to have near full use of their legs, perhaps just needs some assistance?
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Yes, this is something I have noticed but there are so many versions, each different just like wheelchairs.
This is a new area for the developers, builder and users. So researching it to death and trying to find out as much from real people about the devices.
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There's tons of stuff on YouTube about exoskeletons. One of our members has an exoskeleton. I've been keeping an eye out on this technology as a couple of weeks ago a friend told me they're coming out with inventions for people with peripheral neuropathy, which is what I have. It's very interesting and very inspiring.
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Oh wow that sounds promising @StarryEyed! Would you get one?
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Promising indeed. I'm just at the advanced stage now, but I don't know much yet about the technology. It's a new thought. A lot to process. The fact that I'm even thinking about it is causing a huge internal shift. In a good way.
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It could be life-changing. It's a very exciting new technology.
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Life changing indeed!
@CarNineSix do you and your partner have a particular type of exoskeleton in mind?
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Not yet, we are trying to work out if they would even work for her. We will at some point visit a developer of these devices for a clearer view.
The issues I have seen or don't fully understand are;
What's the difference between medical and retail versions?
Are they fully autonomous or rely on your own skills? ( Can you stand up without help and move over uneven ground totally dependent on the suit, my partner has one good leg and one bad leg. )
Would you be able to fit the suit with one hand?
Would you need to control the suit if your wearing it and how?
So many questions that lead to more questions and you have to know if it will be safe, will it be worth it?
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Those are really good questions. Really good. It's my experience too, that one question answered leads to many more questions. I've got a lot of therapies on the go right now until the New Year, so my brain is already jam packed. So I'll only look into it lightly until then. But I'll keep a close eye on this thread. Oh, I hope you guys find something suitable. I'll be one of your cheerleaders! π
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What a fabulous article! How exciting! π€ΈπΌββοΈ
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I saw a piece about this technology on TV, and am very excited about the idea of it for myself. However I'd like to wait until the technology is more tested before trying it for myself, as I have a very weak left side - and have visions of myself trapped hnto something like Wallace and Grommits wrong trousers! π
Fantastic idea though, gives me hope for the future!
π
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@jonf maybe you're around to comment on your experience with your exoskeleton?
@Scooby222 yeah that hope thing is precious. Contagious too. π Here's to hoping for you! π€πΌ
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In my observation, all technically complex devices for ordinary people for a reasonable fee appear only after they are used by the military. Therefore, in the next 5-ten years, we should definitely not expect progress in exoskeletons, sorry.
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I bet the DWP would be interested to know what tasks an exoskeleton user can now successfully accomplish?
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That's a very interesting question @ChrisR777. I would assume they would class it as an aid but I'd like to know how they would take into account the level of independence it can bring.
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That was also one of my thoughts, will it mean they will tell people to get them and train to do some sort of job?
Then what about the skeletons uses, every one is different and needs different things but silly servants tend to lump people together.
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Anything you [say] can and will be used against you
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What I'd love to hear are the things people would dream of doing it they could have an exoskeleton. @CarNineSix maybe your partner would like to chime in, and maybe you have dreams too? I'll go first, as if I were allowed three wishes with the exoskeleton.
My first wish would be to be able to go wherever I want for very long distances so that I can avoid transportation and so that when I use transportation I would be unencumbered by a mobility device.
My second wish would be to be able to move without pain.
My third wish would be to walk the Camino de Santiago.
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@StarryEyed luckily I don't need an exoskeleton but would love to try one out, think about the Bionic Man..
My partner on the other hand is a wheelchair user, we would go for a walk hand in hand. We can see a hill out the back window, we'd both love to be at the top looking at the house. I can get there, but she can't as it is not accessible with a wheelchair or scooter.
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