World's 1st Motorless Walking Assist Device Launched in Japan

Gifu, Sept. 9 (Jiji Press)--Nagoya Institute of Technology and Imasen Engineering Corp. started selling what they claim to be the world's first walking assist device that uses no motor or battery on Tuesday. The Acsive walking support device, jointly developed by the university in Nagoya and the company based in Kakamigahara, Gifu Prefecture, central Japan, is designed to help people with one leg paralyzed by such diseases as stroke. It applies a theory by Akihito Sano, professor at the university, that helps people walk using belts connected by carbon plates and springs. Belts are worn both around the waist and knee. The Acsive weighs about 550 grams and is up to 3 centimeters thick. Starting at the end of September, people will be able to try on the device at events in six major cities including Tokyo and Osaka. It will be sold in Japan for 180,000 yen through hospitals. END