Honda Gets a Leg Up on Mobility: Research center pioneers new devices to aid movement

Honda is known as a manufacturer of cars, motorcycles, power equipment and soon, jet aircraft. But don't be surprised if in the future, the Honda badge is seen on other items that put people in motion, but in slightly different ways that what we are accustomed to seeing.

Following the recent Tokyo motor show, Honda gave journalists an early chance to test three devices that few would expect a car company to produce.

The Walking Assist Device with Stride Management and the Walking Assist Device with Bodyweight Support are both experimental units that have been in development for nearly a decade. These devices were produced by Honda's Fundamental Technology Research Center, part of Honda R&D in Wako, a suburb of Tokyo. This is the same place that spawned Asimo, Honda's advanced humanoid robot. Honda says it has been conducting robotics research since 1986, and that research, even in a down economy when car projects have been pulled (for instance, the Acura NSX, not to mention dropping out of Formula One racing), is ongoing.

The goal of both devices, says Honda, is to provide more people with the “joy of mobility.” A noble goal, to be sure, especially with the rapid growth of people age 70 and older, especially in Honda's home market of Japan. Devices such as these can help people stay active, especially if they suffer from ailments that make walking painful or difficult, or if they are recovering from a stroke.

The stride-management system comes in three sizes and weighs about 6 pounds. The lithium-ion battery will power the unit for two hours when walking at a moderate pace. You strap the device around your waist and hips and just start walking.

Flat motors developed by Honda are located on each side the unit's hip frame and they deliver torque to the thigh frame, which moves back and forth as the person walks. A computer control monitors the stride and then helps lengthen it, while keeping the walking pace regulated. Honda's extensive testing has found that users' heart rates drop when employing the device, making it easier for people to walk longer distances.

During our brief test of the unit, we found it performed as promised. Even though we don't have any problems walking, you could feel the device helping you walk and climb steps. We would have loved to try the device the day before while plodding along the exhibit halls at the motor show. But we could also easily see this being something elderly people around the world could use to make their lives better. It's lightweight, simple to use and it works.

The Walking Assist Device with Bodyweight Support is more futuristic and adds more help for mobility.

The device with Bodyweight Support was a bit more futuristic, looking like something used in a sci-fi movie. You don't so much strap on this device as you sit on it, with your feet strapped into the shoes connected to the bottom of the legs. We didn't find it particularly comfortable to sit on, either, but it too performed as advertised. The assist was particularly noticeable while walking up steps and during repeated bending at the knees, or while repeatedly crouching down. It's easy to see this being used in industrial applications.

Honda just began testing the device at one of its automotive assembly plants in Japan, where workers repeatedly bend or crouch down to perform their jobs. Again, the device is powered by a lithium-ion battery pack good for two hours of constant use.

AutoWeek's Roger Hart takes a spin on the U3-X, which is a bit like a unicycle.

The third device we tested out was a whole lot more fun: the U3-X. Honda calls it a “personal mobility device,” and for such a small package, there's a ton of technology inside. The device fits easily between your legs and weighs about 20 pounds. While it looks a bit like a unicycle, the omnidirectional drive system (Honda Omni Traction Drive System, or HOT Drive System) allows you to move in any direction, just as if you were walking. You sit on the device, put your feet on foot pegs, and lean in the direction you want to go. The further you lean, the faster you go. Simple as that.

The low seating level of the U3-X makes it easy to put your feet on the ground and also keeps the rider's eye level at roughly the same position as other pedestrians.

The key to the U3-X is the HOT Drive System, which allows movement in all directions. Multiple small-diameter, motor-controlled wheels are connected in-line to form one larger-diameter wheel. The larger wheels move forward and back, the smaller wheels move side to side.

While the practical application of the U3-X would appear to be somewhat limited--it was a lot of fun to use, however--the HOT Drive System could be used in other ways. Think about a car with a similar setup where it could move forward, backward and sideways. No need for parking assist, just pull up to a parking space and move sideways into the slot. Off-roading could also be another application.

While the U3-X may not appear all that practical at the moment, the fun factor in riding it was very high. And there is certainly nothing wrong in fun mobility, ever.

By Roger Hart