Exoskeleton research could allow paralyzed to turn and climb From: Reuters - 11/02/2015 By: Jim Drury Swiss sensory motor scientists are hoping to inspire a new generation of more flexible, less constraining, powered exoskeletons that improve the lives of the severely disabled and paralyzed. Metal exoskeleton suits worn outside the body, delivering energy for limb movement, are becoming more widespread, helping survivors of strokes, spinal cord injuries, and other lower extremity weaknesses to walk again. Yet they are far from perfect solutions. A patient's joints can be misaligned with those of the exoskeleton, thus constraining the wearer's walking. They are also usually bulky, making climbing stairs impossible, while the limitations of their joint mechanisms makes anything other than walking in a straight line difficult, slow, and inefficient, and in some cases unachievable. Read the entire article at: http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/11/02/us-switzerland-exoskeletons-idUSKCN0SR1C220151102 Links: Exoskeletons research could allow paralyzed to be more flexible http://www.universityherald.com/articles/25619/20151102/exoskeletons-research-could-allow-paralyzed-to-be-more-flexible.htm Volker Bartenbach http://www.sms.hest.ethz.ch/people/directory/volkerb Submitted by Drew Nelson