Toyota Robot to help stroke patients paralyzed on one side of their bodies to walk

Toyota and Fujita Health University are testing a robot that could one day help stroke patients paralyzed on one side of their bodies to walk. Toyota which is trying to turn robotics into one of its core businesses is looking for ways to convert robots into tools that can improve the lives of paralyzed people. One of its goals in doing this is to ensure the new robot is effective and to reduce its size and weight, company officials said.

People with one-sided paralysis tend to walk with an awkward gait because they keep their legs locked out of fear of tumbling if they flex their knees. The goal of the Toyota robot is to help by sensing leg movements and by supporting the knee with a motor