Honda, OSU get grant for walking aid

Honda R&D Americas and Ohio State University have received a grant of about $275,000 from The Michael J. Fox Foundation to research how Honda’s Walking Assist Device could help people with Parkinson’s disease.

The belt-like tool designed to help people whose ability to walk is impaired. It recently received clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and is intended for people who can walk but struggle because of a stroke, for example.

“Many people with Parkinson’s disease experience gait and balance issues, but there are few treatment options that fully alleviate these challenges,” Jamie Hamilton, the foundation’s associate director, said in a news release. “This project has the potential to address this unmet need and improve quality of life for Parkinson’s patients.”

The Walking Assist Device wraps around the waist and has arms linking the hips to the legs. The device uses sensors to perceive hip-joint positions and helps the legs move by applying mild force. It monitors left-right symmetry, movable hip-angle range and walking speed, among other things.

“We have a large body of evidence which suggests that the Honda Walking Assist Device safely and effectively improves the mobility of individuals affected by stroke,” Kenton Williams, one of the lead research engineers at Honda R&D Americas for development of the device, said in a release. “We are excited to understand how the device also can help support individuals with other neurological conditions such as PD.”

Honda R&D Americas is headquartered in Torrance, California, and has offices in Raymond, Ohio, near Marysville. Honda is not yet commercializing the device in North America.

Leading the study are Dr. Anne Kloos and Dr.

Deb Kegelmeyer from Ohio State’s School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences. Research is set to begin early this year, with results expected next year.