Short for Walking Assist Device, the Honda WAD will actually get past the concept phase and enter production.
The mobility device is aimed for use in physical therapy and rehabilitation training, unlike other projects Honda developed, like the U3-X or UNI-CUB.
Considering the targeted clients, Honda will be leasing 100 units of the WAD for hospitals in exchange for much needed feedback on their product. Honda WAD has a computer that controls several electrical motors that will aid walking and encourage users to take longer strides, therefore making walking easier.
Technology used on the WAD mobility device has first been pioneered on the famous ASIMO robot and it weighs 2.6 kg, despite it looking bulky and heavy. The belt-like device will definitely help some, even if not at first, but surely after some tweaks. Let’s just hope it won’t encourage laziness among the populace, like other mobility devices have.
