Biolink Laboratories' Second Generation Lower Body Exoskeleton Accepts Vocal Commands Given to Amazon Echo Devices
Orange County, CA - August 15th 2017 - Bionik Laboratories in Toronto, Canada has developed the second generation lower body exoskeleton- operable through vocal commands. The device is designed to benefit patients who are wheelchair bound to walk again. Typically, the exoskeleton is directed by a remote like device and is limited to one command at a time, such as taking a walk or simply standing upright. The ARKE exoskeleton can now switch between different modes by articulating sayings such as, “Alexa, I’m ready to walk,” immediately activates the exoskeleton to follow the command.
According to a press release from Bionik Labs, “ARKE has the potential to address 100% of all [stroke] survivors who [have] suffered lower limb impairment, among other illnesses.” The market for the ARKE exoskeleton is relatively extensive with approximately 10 million people using wheelchairs as their main mode of transportation. Though still in clinical development, Bionik is optimistic that the ARKE will soon be used within rehabilitation environments and eventually at patients’ homes. Compared to the first generation exoskeleton, the ARKE has “novel walking gait trajectories, and has significantly smaller mechanics and actuator components. The ARKE, has the highest possible energy and efficiency through improved battery density and the power-to-weight ratio of the actuators,” according to the press release.As excited as the Bionik team is to release the ARKE to customers, there are two major obstacles to overcome. Foremost, there are no microphones built into the ARKE itself, therefore a user would need to be within rage of an Amazon Echo device to access Alexa. For those who are on-the-go, they can access the Alexa app on a mobile device. Secondly, this ARKE design is prototypal and it is unclear how Alexa will rank when compared to medical certification. However, Prywata remains optimistic and is proud that the device will be used to help people with mobility issues regain their independence. Despite the hurdles left to overcome, Bionik Laboratories is confident in the technology’s future use.
