Japanese automaker Toyota has built medical robots to help stroke victims walk while on the path to recovery.
According to a press release on 11 March, the company is building the robots to support the nearly 800 daily stroke victims to reduce the pressure on therapists.
Improving lives
Stroke is one of the top three diseases in Japan, with roughly 290,000 new and recurrent cases recorded annually according to Toyota.
To help those affected, the company has been building robots to help with mobility since 2007.
The robot features a conveyor belt like that found on treadmills and a monitor that displays information to help the user walk on their own.
The monitor shows the patient as they walk, along with real-time information such as where the load is being applied on the paralyzed foot.
This allows users to observe how well they are doing, making it easy to identify points for improvement and make adjustments.
Although it does not replace a therapist, the robot helps by supporting the patient’s trunk via a hanging harness and assists them with lifting the leg and bending the knee, allowing the therapist to focus on finer details.
The robots are in use in 105 hospitals and other facilities in Japan as of December 2024, with more health facilities likely to start using them.
A step away from automobile
Toyota has been investing in technology that helps improve the lives of people other than vehicles, just like other auto giants have been doing.
Honda for example has built the world’s first system to support wheelchair athletes by helping to accurately assess their performance.
Also, Hyundai and Kia have joined hands to build a wearable robot known as X-ble Shoulder.
The company at the time said it would build another robot for the lower parts of the body to support workers in any industry, taking the pressure off them while they work.
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