Robotic legs: Dermoskeleton technology aims to help B.C.'s disabled

Scott Cunningham, a reporter for the Vancouver Island CTV News, wrote the following article on Paul Lazenby's adventure test-driving the Keeogo. The video and Paul's comments on his experience can be found in my post earlier this week. The potential the Keeogo has to revolutionize mobility for those living with a disability has me more excited than I have been in quite a while.

Robotic legs: Dermoskeleton technology aims to help B.C.'s disabled

It was designed for the military and featured in the movies. Now, a futuristic robotic skeleton could help B.C.’s disabled community. The wearable technology, which looks like something out of the Robocop movies, arrived in the province in January. Designed by a Quebec-based company, the Keeogo device is an assistive walking machine aimed at helping people with mobility issues.

Targeted at people with multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease and other neuromuscular issues, a new high-tech device is giving people like Duncan man Paul Lazenby their legs back. Suffering from Kennedy’s disease, Duncan man Ken Lazenby is slowly losing control of some muscle movement and is happy to be a trial patient for the new technology. March 8, 2017.

“We can see people continue to be active, healthy, exercise and rehabilitate,” said mobility device distributer Graham Plant. “Maybe they can get away from having to use a cane or a wheelchair.”

“It’s fun not to have to think about it,” said Lazenby, as he scaled a flight of stairs that would normally exhaust him. Suffering from Kennedy’s disease, the Duncan resident is slowly losing control of some muscle movement and is happy to be a trial patient for the new technology.

“What things like this offer is hope. Hope for young people who have neuromuscular diseases that they can move freely if they keep what strength they have left,” he said.

Priced at around $50,000, the futuristic mobility tools don’t come cheap. Because they’re so new, most insurance providers have yet to research them thoroughly.
WorkSafe BC says it is not aware of requests for Keeogo devices, but it is open to investigating anything that could help clients.

The robotic walking aids are a class one medical device, meaning they could be covered by insurance, much like a wheelchair. To date, the company HME Mobility and Accessibility, which is distributing the product in B.C., has yet to sell a unit but is in the midst of several patient trials.

Remarkable Canadian invention helps physically challenged

My January 29th blog post was on a new device that might revolutionize how people with mobility issues get around. Paul Lazenby is another person living with Kennedy’s Disease. He had the opportunity to test the Keeogo walking assist device. The Keeogo is designed for people with mobility challenges, but still have balance and some core strength.

The news report shows Paul testing the device for the first time. He looks confident and comfortable. When he took an unassisted step up at about the 1:40 mark, I said, “Now that is amazing.”

I congratulate Paul for taking the time to discuss Kennedy’s Disease in the video.

Click here to watch Paul strut across the room.

Paul provided some additional information on the Keeogo.  Batteries last 45 minutes for heavy climbing, 3hrs for walking.  Batteries change out easily, and recharge in about 20 mins. There is a tension control so there is less torgue while walking and the higher setting for stairclimbing. It really does power you up the stairs.

Had it on for two and a half hours, did multiple stairs (plus the big step several times leading with either foot) and walked a fair bit outdoors. The large step would be impossible for me normally without a railing or pushing on my knee with my hands. It really does make stairs effortless for me. When I was out walking, it feels a little awkward, because it still hasn't/won't adjust to my natural rolling pirate gait .. but.. I found my self whistling, and could carry on a conversation when normally I walk with teeth clenched and very focussed.

It feels very supportive and solid. The other gentleman who you see striding by in the video has a spinal cord injury and cannot walk straight or without a cane normally, has been using the device three times a week for the last month and is doing great. the computer actually powers one of his legs more than the other to give him a natural stride which he says is helping to relieve the strains his injury is causing to the rest of his body.