Abstract:
Provided is a handcart in which the posture of a main body can be controlled to make it possible to walk without losing a feeling of stability even when approaching sloped ground surfaces. The handcart is provided with a pair of wheels, one or a plurality of drive units that cause the pair of wheels to rotate, a main body that rotatably supports the pair of wheels, a gripping unit disposed on one end of the main body on the opposite side from the side on which the pair of wheels is supported, and a support unit that is connected on one end to the main body so as to be rotatable in the pitch direction and rotatably supports one or a pair of auxiliary wheels on the other end. The angle of intersection formed by the main body and the support unit is detected and the incline angle of the main body relative to the direction orthogonal to the ground surface is estimated on the basis of the detected angle of intersection. The slope angle of the ground surface is calculated, the pitch incline angle relative to the vertical direction is estimated on the basis of the estimated incline angle and the calculated slope angle, and the posture of the main body in the pitch direction is controlled.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a vehicle (1) intended for use in the transportation of at least one person, comprised of at least one frame (2), at least one steering device (3), at least one seating device (25), at least one driving device (4) and at least one control device (5) for engagement and disengagement of the driving force of the vehicle. A unique feature of the present invention is that the control device (5) for the engagement and disengagement of the driving device (4) consists of the vehicle's seating device (25) and that the driving device (4) is engaged when the person sits on the seating device (25) and is disengaged when the person stands up from the seating device (25).
Abstract:
A massage, device including a massage pad including a plurality of vibrating units, a plurality of heating elements, and/or a plurality of lifting actuators connected to a control box which accepts an input from a remote control associated with an action for at least one of the vibrating units, heating elements or lifting actuators and controls the vibrating units, heating elements or lifting actuators to perform the action is provided. Also provided are pre-programmed patterns of massage control actions, which may be input by a user using the remote control and/or a scripting language.
Abstract:
A lower extremity orthotic control system determines a movement desired by a user, particularly with a user employing gestures or other signals to convey or express their intent to the system, and automatically regulates the sequential operation of powered lower extremity orthotic components. In a particular application, the orientation of a stance leg is used to determine when the user wants to initiate a step, as well as when the user is in a safe position from which to take a step. The invention has particular applicability for use in enabling a paraplegic user (200) to walk through a controlled operation of a human exoskeleton (100) coupled to the user's lower limbs (205). A controller (220) receives inputs regarding a motion desired by the user (200), determines the desired motion and then controls the movement of the user's legs or limbs (205) through actuation of the exoskeleton (100).