Honda has been working on walking robot technology with its ASIMO robot since the 1980s and has produced an amazing 130 patents during that time to expand into new technologies, including the new Stride Management Assist. First unveiled in 2008 and beginning its United States tour in 2009, the Stride Management Assist is now scheduled to undergo field tests by the National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology (NCGG) in Japan.

The NCGG will test 40 units of the device on people with limited walking ability at the Edlder Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Center at Resora Obu Shopping Terace in Obu, Japan. The Stride Management Assist is a lightweight device that has a simple design and was built to aid people with weakened leg muscles due to age or other causes who still have the ability to walk but have difficulty doing so. The system sends a robotically controlled boost to the upper legs that helps the wearer walk faster for longer.

Benefits with Stride Management Assist:

- Increases overall muscle activity by lengthening walking stride over time (increases wearer's natural speed and stride)

- Provides restoration/ maintenance of walking function in some users

- Reduces heart rate and exertion from wearer while climbing hills, etc.

Honda will use the results from the Obu tests to evaluate the device and to make improvements as necessary.

Honda certainly is on-top of new technologies and developments! Stay tuned here with Honda of New Rochelle, located at 25 E Main St. New Rochelle, NY 10801 and serving the greater Westchester County area, for more interesting updates!