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Big news is afoot for those permanently confined to wheelchairs: Robotic Walking Devices are finally here. For those like me, who have been paralyzed for several decades, this is an astounding achievement. By contrast, when I suffered a traumatic spinal cord injury in 1984, I was told by doctors that a) there was unequivocally no cure for SCI, b) that virtually no research toward a cure had been done since World War II, and c) to expect no significant gains thereof within my own lifetime. Granted, this was the standard prognosis script at the time for SCI; purposefully calculated to steer us clear of any false hope—not that there were any prospects that would actually facilitate hope of any kind, fictitious or otherwise.

Now, a mere 25 years later, not only are there viable prospects for an “organic” cure for spinal cord injury and other central nervous system disorders (e.g. stem cell research), but latest robotic technology has served up a compelling “hardware” cure, with a dash of sci-fi / Six Million Dollar Man thrown in as well: Robotic Walking Legs! My only questions at this point: When can I try one out, will insurance cover it, and how far can I jump with one of these things? (More on the “jumping” thing later…)

There appear to be two distinct types of robotic walking units that have been announced in 2010. First, from New Zealand comes “Rex”, which is more of a free-standing walking “vehicle”, like something out of a James Cameron flick. (Fig 1) Fig 1:


"Rex" Robotic
walking unit. I use the word vehicle to describe it because you literally load yourself into Rex, move a joystick and take it for a spin; the exo-skeleton structure is large, bulky and imposing, balancing on mammoth-sized “feet”, obviously where it derives its Paleolithic name. Given its futuristic styling, a user of Rex would be right at home on the hangar deck of some interstellar star cruiser, battling carapaced, salivating aliens alongside Sigourney Weaver, or blasting at marauding Sentinels in one of the Matrix movies. Indeed, all Rex needs is some space-aged weaponry attached to the upper arm supports and the possibilities are endless. Back down on planet Earth in the present, however, Rex could be a great tool for allowing someone paralyzed to be temporarily, yet functionally upright and somewhat mobile, for example returning to a job which requires being vertical for an extended period of time. Outside from that, Rex has some work yet to go to be truly practical as a permanent mobility solution, since the manufacturer states “Rex is not designed for use on slippery or soft surfaces, or in areas containing debris or small objects such as ice snow, sand, grass, mud or gravel.” So much for that walk on the beach or hike up Mt. Washington, at least for now.

Fig 2:

"eLEGS" Robotic
walking system.

The second type, “eLEGS” by Berkeley Bionics makes use of a much less bulkier robotic bracing structure that fits closely around the legs, hips and torso (Fig.2); similar to existing full-body orthotic bracing systems such as the LSU Reciprocating Brace. Unlike the free-standing Rex, eLEGS users maintain balance with a pair of forearm crutches, while robotic servo motors provide movement to the bending hip, knee and ankle joints in the correct sequence to replicate ambulatory movement. This system is more clearly designed to follow the anatomical and aesthetic form of the human body, and perhaps aiming at more practical, everyday use, rather than the more utilitarian function of the Rex-type units.

About five years ago, long before Rex or eLEGS, I was asking an orthotic bracing specialist if there had been any advances (perhaps the use of lighter, more space-aged materials) to the bulky LSU-style bracing system mentioned above, developed almost three decades ago. I had obtained a pair of my own LSU braces while newly injured in the 1980’s; I was nineteen at the time and still determined not to adhere to the “accept your wheelchair and move on” doctrine that had been so succinctly carved out for me by the existing medical establishment; so I begged, borrowed and stole whatever therapy time I could (LSU braces were deemed impractical for a paraplegic like me, injured high in the mid chest region) and had actually perfected their use, if for nothing else as a great life-enhancing workout. The orthotic doc said it was funny that I asked, because he had just returned from an extensive tour of Iraq, where he was involved with the Department of Defense in the highly secretive development of robotic exo-skeletons for the battle field. He could not elaborate, except to divulge that there was robotic, limb-moving technology in existence that would allow a GI to “jump up to 30 feet”. My inner Silver Age sci-fi fan boy started swooning; Robert Heinlein’s Starship Troopers (the book, not the movie) had indeed arrived!

Today we are suddenly at an age where robotic walking technology may soon be made available for everyday use to those otherwise confined to wheelchairs. There is no debating the positive medical benefits of being able to stand upright; bones can maintain density and avoid osteoporosis if weight bearing, not to mention global advantages of increased circulation and body alignment. Passive movement of paralyzed extremities aids in preventing muscle spasticity and keeps joints healthy—all necessary should an organic cure arrive that can restore nerve connectivity to the paralyzed regions of the body. Not to mention the purely psychological benefits of once again ascending above groin level, where many of us have long suffered these past decades. Yet with Rex’s estimated price tag of $150,000, will the robotic cure for SCI suffer the same fate as Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) and other body-maintaining breakthroughs that would go far to increase the quality of life for those paralyzed, but are still considered by insurers to be a ‘nice-to-have’ extravagance?

Time will tell if this potentially life-changing technological breakthrough for the non-ambulatory will be considered necessity or novelty by the reigning healthcare establishment. In the meantime, since the military is out of the question, I’ll be waiting diligently for that Rex dealer to open up near me so I can take one for a test drive.