Exo-Walk - Assistive Walker

Exo-Walk - Assistive Walker - open-source assistive technology working model by the Abraham Accords Open Innovation Challenge community

About this project

A mechanism for a walker that guides the movement of legs when walking. This add-on attaches to a side of the walker and to the lower part of the leg. The mechanism can be adjusted to different lengths as per the need of the user.

The challenge

This solution was developed during the 2022 Abraham Accords Open Innovation Challenge.

It was designed for Luis Muller who lives with Spastic Cerebral Palsy. This solution helps Luis walk more accurately and comfortably with his walker!

You can learn more about the Abraham Accords Open Innovation Challenge and browse the projects on the AAOIC community page.

This project was developed by:

Solu Makers

Arsenio Minaya

Who it helps

Luis has 21 years. He lives in Cochabamba, Bolivia. He has Spastic Cerebral Palsy which makes his muscles very stiff. He loves to play as a soccer goalkeeper. He uses a wheelchair to move around. He had several surgeries in his legs.

How it works

Who

Luis is 21-years-old and lives in Cochabamba, Bolivia. He has Spastic Cerebral Palsy which makes his muscles very stiff. Luis has had several surgeries on his legs and uses a wheelchair to move around. But that doesn’t stop him from playing soccer as a goalkeeper!

What

Why

Walking is very hard for Luis. Because of his limited muscle strength in his lower limbs, he cannot stand upright for long periods of time. His legs are very stiff and when he is on a walker, he can only make jumping movements or drags his feet on the floor. Luis is looking for a solution that will help him walk with his walker.

How

This solution will constrain his leg movement to a more accurate way of walking. Inspired by elliptical machines, it will guide his leg to make a circular/oval shape movement.

Tools Needed

sewing machine

circular saw

jigsaw (electric)

drill

drill bench adapter

rasp

wrench

pliers

sharpie

pop riveter

caliper

Bill of Materials

Please see detailed BOM and printing models in the downloadable product file.

Estimated Time to Make

3 hours of machine time

1.5 hours of assembly time

Project details

The build files for Exo-Walk - Assistive Walker are free to download from this page - open source, shared by TOM: Tikkun Olam Makers.

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