French father builds voice-controlled exoskeleton to help his wheelchair-bound son walk
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The voice-activated exoskeleton allows Oscar to walk across the room and turn around.Oscar, who usually needs someone to help him walk, says it gives him independence.
A French robotics developer named Jean-Louis Constanza constructed a robotic exoskeleton that allows his kid to stand up and move around by issuing vocal commands in order to enable him get around without using a wheelchair.
"One day, my son Oscar asked to me, 'Dad, you're a robotics engineer, why don't you build a robot that will allow us to walk?,'" Constanza said.
Oscar can walk across the room and turn around thanks to the exoskeleton, which is attached to his shoulders, chest, waist, knees, and feet.
Oscar has a genetic neurological disorder that prevents his nerves from sending enough signals to his legs.
An exoskeleton, which can be fastened to a person's shoulders, chest, waist, knees and feet, allows a 16-year-old with a genetic neurological condition to walk https://t.co/uD869TJX64 pic.twitter.com/arHPW5mN3x
— Reuters (@Reuters) July 28, 2021
"Before, I needed someone to help me walk … this makes me feel independent," said Oscar.
A video that is now making rounds on the internet shows a large frame strapped to Oscar’s body lifting him up and the 16-year-old walking.
The suit is made by the company Jean-Louis co-founded and allows users mobility for a few hours.
While the suit is in use in a number of hospitals around the country, it has yet to be made commercially available.
(With inputs from agencies)