By Eimear Dodd Journalism MA student, @TheCity_Dublin editor, @Irish_TechNews
Toyota Motor Corporation is set to launch a rental service for the Welwalk WW-1000 robot in late 2017. The robot is designed to aid in the rehabilitation of individuals with lower limb paralysis as a result of stroke and other causes.
The Welwalk WW-1000 comes with a range of rehabilitation support functions based on motor learning theory, including the ability to adjust the difficulty level to suit the patient, and to provide feedback about the patient’s gait characteristics. The robot’s simple construction and functions, such as easy fitting and central touch panel operation, ensure ease of use in clinical settings.
Toyota began installing industrial robots in the 1980s, and since then has applied automobile production and developmental technologies to the advancements of Partner Robot technology, where the robots can be viewed as companions to provide support and to also co-exist with people.
#Toyota launches loan service for Welwalk rehabilitation robot: https://t.co/Skj993FEqR #ToyotaNews pic.twitter.com/yoriWEkwf7
— Toyota Insurance (@ToyotaInsurance) April 18, 2017
In line with the vision of the Partner Robot technology, of “freedom of mobility for all, and the joy of self-reliance” as well as taking into consideration Japan’s growing aging population, Toyota is developing Partner Robot technologies that relates to the four main areas of Senior Life Support, Medical Support, Personal Life Support, and Welfare Support. The development will help to provide assistance to the elderly by enabling them to live more independent lives and to also provide support for their caregivers.
Development of rehabilitation robots in the field of Medical Support began at the end of 2007 with the collaboration with Fujita Health University Hospital in Toyoake, Aichi Prefecture. Since 2011, pilot testing has been conducted at the hospital’s medical facilities. Between 2014 and the end of March 2017, Walk Training Assist robots have been installed in 23 medical facilities throughout Japan for clinical research.
Feedback from patients and healthcare persons involved in the clinical research indicated that this robot has the potential to aid in lower limb recovery. As a result, the use of the robot as a medical device has been officially approved and certified. Toyota hopes to rent 100 units of the Welwalk WW-1000 robots to medical facilities beginning in late 2017.
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