robot legs
Thanks to Honda's new robot legs, soon even walking
will be obsolete. Can I get a "Yay, Science!"...?

If you're anything like me -- and I hope for your sake that you are -- then there are countless times on any given day when you find yourself thinking: "Gee, I really wish I didn't have to use my legs right now." Like, for instance, when retrieving the remote control from three feet away, walking (read that: stumbling/shuffling/crawling) home from the bar, or standing up off the toilet. (Because sometimes I get really involved in the book I'm reading and the hard plastic seat makes my lower half feel all numb and lifeless. Much like Hubie Brown.) Well, here's some good news: We might soon be able to eliminate these and other annoying leg-necessary life tasks by using Honda Motor Company's new robot legs.

Honda, makers of many fine robotic products that will one day violently wipe humanity off the face of the earth, recently unveiled its experimental "walking assist device," which helps support bodyweight to reduce the load on an individual's legs while walking, going up and down stairs, crouching, and giving pure evil a big old kick in its fiendish ass. The device is designed for people who can walk on their own but simply don't want to (or can benefit from additional leg and body support ). This is ideal for factory workers, old people, and the exceptionally lazy.

The device is basically a bike seat with a jointed frame and shoes that can be easily slipped into and strapped on. Sounds childishly simple, I know, but here's where glorious Science comes in for the save: The robo-legs have two motors that are controlled by signals from sensors inside the shoes AND a built-in mechanism that directs the assisting force toward the user's center of gravity so that you can control the assist force in concert with blah, blah, blah-diddy-blah. The point is, the device allows you to use your legs in almost any natural way while it supports your body weight and absorbs all the stressful pounding. Kind of like a robot-leg version of Tera Patrick.

Here's the bad news: Pricing and commercial product plans are still undecided. However, Honda has already begun testing the prototype with its assembly line workers. So, if you think about it, we're this much closer to fully functional mechanical suits that will allow us to take back the night from the world's most dangerous super villains. One small step for silly-looking robot legs, one giant leap...FOR JUSTICE.

Bonus video: Here are the robo-legs in glorious, goose-stepping action.

Labels: , , ,

21 Comments:
Blogger Dunpizzle said...
I can't help but notice the way it grabs the man region.

Anonymous Anonymous said...
Those robot legs dont look to comfortable in the man-region. Hopefully that Asimo isnt in collaboration with Cyberdyne.

Blogger Basketbawful said...
Awesome. The first two comments mentioned the man region.

Yes, these robot legs probably aren't kind to the groin. Which was overlooked by Honda since their test subjects have had their genitals removed for efficiency purposes.

Anyway, Cyberdyne isn't involved with Asimo or these robo-legs. But they are responsible for THESE robo-legs...

Anonymous Anonymous said...
How much do you know about Dyson? I want to know everything. What he looks like, where he lives, everything.........

Blogger AnacondaHL said...
Ugh. It happened to "big dog", and it will happen to this. I'm fully expecting horrific anime anthropomorphizations of this device. Followed by a modification first for vibration, then with attachable adult store items, and finally into a tentacle rape machine. Bring it on Japan, you can't surprise me anymore.

Anonymous Anonymous said...
maybe honda can make some robo arms and give them to the thunder so they can start shooting better

Anonymous Anonymous said...
Is it just me or does the majority of the video make it look like either the robot, the man's knees, or . . . the man's man region are all talking, thanks to the slick little voice bubble thing that comes from that general area?

Anonymous Anonymous said...
I was going to order a set of these, but the lady at Fed Ex said they would only deliver them to my front door. I told her that the door would be unlocked and the delivery guy could just walk in and bring them to me in the living room, but she said it was against their policy. Oh well.....

Blogger Alex said...
Yes yes, this is all great. But can they help us (and by us, I mean white people) dunk?

Blogger Wang McMuffin said...
Why must I always be the fourth person to think of the genitals? :(

Yeah, that thing definitely looks... uncomfortable. Also Bawful if that's what your bike seats are like I feel very sorry for your man area

Also are the folks making the other robo legs trying to destroy humanity? The HAL made by Cyberdyne? Seriously?

Anonymous Anonymous said...
for some reason the man-region grabbiness of the device immediately reminded me of "IT" from South Park (bike-type thing that spit-roasted the driver...)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:IT_(South_Park;_The_Entity).jpeg

Anonymous Anonymous said...
It definitely looks like his man-region is talking for most of the clip. A new method of advertising!

I'll be the first to submit the 'they should test it on non-asian man-region' joke... although I don't think that stereotype is true because I've seen many large asianman-regions. Wait, I have? Oh no robot fingers are typing for me!

Blogger Wild Yams said...
Do you think the Cyberdyne people had any hint of irony when they named their robotics company after the one that killed the entire human race in the Terminator movies? Maybe Microsoft will get on board with this and rename themselves the Weyland-Yutani Corporation.

The funniest thing to me about these robot legs is that they're battery powered. That means that it could be possible for you to take them out for a long walk and have the battery die on you halfway through, in which case you'd have to carry your no doubt heavy-ass robot legs back with you. If someone could get photographed walking along carrying these things on their back that would be the ultimate Fail picture.

Blogger Unknown said...
Reminds me of a quote from the movie Grandma's Boy...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eaqq1RKXr2A

JP: "I'm thinking about getting metal legs. It's a risky operation but it'll be worth it."

Blogger Mintz... said...
isn't north america obese enough as it is... as a student of kinesiology I really hope they dont sell these legs commercially.

Blogger Ignarus said...
That can't be good for the sperm count.

Blogger Ignarus said...
I kinda want to watch a video of Ron Artest addressing the use of these things, much like he addressed the wearing of tight pants.

Anonymous Anonymous said...
Finally a chance to use my favorite line... check out the trunk on that Honda!

Anonymous Anonymous said...
You know, there are people in the world who can't walk--like, from birth, not because of obesity. This would be good for them.

Anonymous Anonymous said...
Got mine on back order

8-)

Anonymous Anonymous said...
Just think what you can do with this thing, u can attach sensors to nerv endings or directly to the brain (in the future...) and u will see ppl throw away their wheelchairs. Add a spine to this as a back support to strap ureself in to not fall since ppl cant use their feet for balance.

Also coming up in 6 years robot legs V13 that can jump from 2 stories high >:) oh the fun u can have with that