{{Short description|Bionic walking assistance system}} {{Use dmy dates|date=May 2023}} {{infobox robot | name = Lifeward Ltd. | logo = | logosize = | image = | imsize = | alt = | caption = | manufacturer = Lifeward Ltd. | year_of_creation = 2011 ([[Food and Drug Administration|FDA]] approval) | type = [[Powered exoskeleton]] | purpose = Medical | derived_from = | replaced_by = | website = [https://golifeward.com Lifeward] | module = {{Infobox company | embed = yes | name = Lifeward Ltd. | type = [[Public company|Public]] | traded_as = {{NASDAQ|LFWD}}<br />[[Russell Microcap Index]] component }} }}
'''ReWalk''' is a commercial [[bionic]] walking assistance system that uses [[powered exoskeleton|powered leg attachments]] to enable [[paraplegics]] to stand upright, walk and climb stairs.<ref name="WashPost">[https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/05/02/AR2008050203382.html "A Human Exoskeleton"]. ''[[Washington Post]]''. 6 May 2008. Retrieved 24 April 2013.</ref><ref>[https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/helping-paraplegics-walk-rewalk-exoskeleton "Paraplegic Support Suits"]. ''Trendhunter Magazine''. 4 April 2008. Retrieved 29 January 2013.</ref> The system is powered by a backpack battery, and is controlled by a simple wrist-mounted remote which detects and enhances the user's movements.<ref name="News.au" /> Designed in [[Startup Village, Yokneam|Yokneam]], [[Israel]], by [[Amit Goffer]],<ref name="TransformEur" /> the ReWalk is marketed by Lifeward Ltd., and is priced at approximately US$85,000 per unit.<ref name="Technabob">[http://technabob.com/blog/2012/05/03/rewalk-robotic-exoskeletons/ "ReWalk Robotic Exoskeletons Let Paraplegics Walk Again"]. Technabob.com. 3 May 2012. Retrieved 13 May 2012.</ref><ref name="Lifeward">{{cite web |title=ReWalk Robotics Ltd. Finalizes Corporate Name Change to Lifeward Ltd. |url=https://golifeward.com/blog/rewalk-robotics-ltd-finalizes-corporate-name-change-to-lifeward-ltd/ |website=golifeward.com |access-date=12 October 2024}}</ref>
The device underwent [[clinical trial]]s at MossRehab<ref>{{cite web |title=ReWalk – MossRehab |url=https://www.mossrehab.com/rewalk |website=mossrehab.com |accessdate=20 January 2020}}</ref> in suburban [[Philadelphia]].<ref name="PA_Hosp">[http://cbs3.com/wireapnewspa/Pa.hospital.1st.2.1066024.html "Pa. Hospital 1st In US To Test Walking Device"]{{dead link|date=April 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}. [[Associated Press]]. 30 June 2009. Retrieved 24 April 2013.</ref> In July 2014, ReWalk Robotics filed for an American [[initial public offering]] that could raise up to US$58 million. The company is listed on the [[NASDAQ stock exchange]] under the symbol "LFWD".<ref name=WSJ>[https://online.wsj.com/articles/rewalk-robotics-files-for-ipo-1405023634/ "ReWalk Robotics Files for IPO"]. ''Wall Street Journal''. 10 July 2014. Retrieved 19 August 2014.</ref><ref name="Lifeward"/>
==Versions== At the time of its initial release, ReWalk was available in two versions – the ReWalk I and the ReWalk P. The ReWalk I is used by medical institutions for research or therapy to be used under the supervision of a healthcare professional. The ReWalk P is for personal use by patients at home or in public.
An updated version, ReWalk Rehabilitation 2.0, was released in January 2013. The ReWalk 2.0 featured improved sizing for taller individuals and some enhancement in controlling software.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.news-medical.net/news/20130129/ARGO-launches-ReWalk-Rehabilitation-20-system.aspx|title=ARGO launches ReWalk Rehabilitation 2.0 system|publisher=News-Medical.net|date=29 January 2013|accessdate=29 January 2013}}</ref>
==Operation== The ReWalk system weighs approximately {{convert|23.3|kg|lb|abbr=on}}; the backpack containing the system's [[Windows (operating system)|Windows]]-operated computer and battery weighs around {{convert|2.3|kg|lb|abbr=on}}, and the robotic leg attachments weigh around {{convert|21|kg|lb|abbr=on}}.<ref name=mashable>{{cite news|last1=Strange|first1=Adario|title=FDA Approves First Robotic Exoskeleton for Paralyzed Users|url=https://mashable.com/2014/06/30/fda-approves-robotic-exoskeleton-paralyzed-rewalk/|accessdate=30 July 2014|publisher=[[Mashable]]|date=1 July 2014}}</ref> The user can engage in three modes: walking, sitting, and standing. The signals to these modes are sent via a wrist-watch type device to the computer.<ref name=mashable />
==Users== The first clinical trial for The ReWalk was held at MossRehab<ref>{{Cite web|title=ReWalk – MossRehab|url=https://www.mossrehab.com/rewalk|access-date=2020-09-17|website=mossrehab.com}}</ref> located in Philadelphia in 2009. The ReWalk was approved for hospital use in the [[United States]] by the [[Food and Drug Administration]] (FDA) in 2011.<ref name=News.au>[http://www.news.com.au/technology/rewalk-bionic-legs-get-fda-approval/story-e6frfro0-1225989332272 "'Rewalk' bionic legs get FDA approval"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150123085416/http://www.news.com.au/technology/rewalk-bionic-legs-get-fda-approval/story-e6frfro0-1225989332272 |date=23 January 2015 }}. News.com.au. 17 January 2011. Retrieved 13 May 2012.</ref> FDA approval for home and public use was issued in June 2014.<ref name=FDA>[https://web.archive.org/web/20140629010407/http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm402970.htm "FDA allows marketing of first wearable, motorized device that helps people with certain spinal cord injuries to walk"]. Technabob.com. 3 May 2012. Retrieved 13 May 2012.</ref><ref name=FDA2>[http://www.israelbizreg.com/blog/fda-approves-israeli-rewalk-robotic-exoskeleton-technology "FDA approves Israeli ReWalk robotic exoskeleton technology"]. Israelbizreg.com. 16 July 2014. Retrieved 16 July 2014.</ref> ReWalk is also the first exoskeleton to receive FDA clearance for personal and rehabilitation use in the United States.<ref>{{Cite web |title=ReWalk Robotics - More Than Walking |url=https://rewalk.com/ |access-date=2023-10-03 |website=ReWalk Robotics, Inc. |language=en-US}}</ref>
In 2010, a prototype ReWalk appeared in the American TV series ''[[Glee (TV series)|Glee]]''; the exoskeleton is used by fictional character [[Artie Abrams]] during the Season 2 episode "[[A Very Glee Christmas]]".<ref>[https://www.engadget.com/2010/12/07/screen-grabs-rewalk-helps-glees-artie-abrams-put-his-best-foot/ "Screen grabs: ReWalk helps Glee's Artie Abrams put his best foot forward"]. [[Engadget]]. 7 December 2010. Retrieved 29 January 2013.</ref><ref>[https://www.newsweek.com/blogs/the-human-condition/2010/12/08/last-night-on-glee-can-the-rewalk-cure-paralysis.html "Last Night on 'Glee': Can the ReWalk Cure Paralysis?"]. ''[[Newsweek]]''. 8 December 2010. Retrieved 29 January 2013.</ref>
On 8 May 2012, paralyzed [[British People|British]] woman [[Claire Lomas]] became the first person to finish a [[marathon]] using a bionic assistance suit. Lomas, who was paralyzed from the waist down in a 2007 riding accident, completed the [[London Marathon]] in 17 days with her ReWalk system.<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2012/may/08/paralysed-claire-lomas-london-marathon?newsfeed=true "Paralyzed Claire Lomas finishes London Marathon 16 days after it began"]. ''[[The Guardian]]''. 8 May 2012. Retrieved 13 May 2012.</ref> Later in 2012, Lomas became the first person to take the ReWalk suit home for assistance with everyday tasks,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/bionic-woman-claire-lomas-is-first-woman-to-take-robotic-suit-home-8104838.html|title='Bionic woman' Claire Lomas is first woman to take robotic suit home|work=[[The Independent]]|date=4 September 2012|accessdate=5 September 2012}}</ref> and participated in the opening ceremony of the [[2012 Summer Paralympics]] in her ReWalk.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.itv.com/news/central/2012-08-24/claire-lomas-lights-paralympic-flame-in-london/|title=Claire Lomas lights Paralympic Flame in London |publisher=ITV |date=24 August 2012|accessdate=9 November 2012}}</ref>
By 2015, Japanese robotics maker [[Yaskawa Electric Corporation|Yaskawa Electric Co.]] has been distributing ReWalk in Asia, i.e. China, under a deal signed in 2014 with ReWalk Robotics. However, in Japan itself ReWalk faces a long approval process that is typical for Japanese businesses.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.haaretz.com/business/1.656097 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150514141117/http://www.haaretz.com/business/1.656097 |url-status=dead |archive-date=14 May 2015 |title=Israeli tech geared at helping paralyzed walk faces barrier in Japan |work=Haaretz |date=14 May 2015|accessdate=14 May 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.japantoday.com/category/health/view/exoskeleton-that-helps-paralyzed-walk-faces-barrier-in-japan |title=Exoskeleton that helps paralyzed walk faces barrier in Japan |publisher=Japan Today |date=14 May 2015|accessdate=14 May 2015}}</ref> This is due to tight regulation laws in Japan that has been in effect for the last decade.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-japan-robots-idUSKCN0J32DS20141119 |title=Deregulation at heart of Japan's new robotics revolution |work=Reuters|date=19 November 2014}}</ref>
==Criticisms== The weight and bulk of the ReWalk exoskeleton is considered to be too much for some users by its creator, Amit Goffer.<ref name=TransformEur>{{cite web|url=https://www.eurekamagazine.co.uk/design-engineering-features/technology/bionic-exoskeleton-could-transform-lives-of-paraplegics/45464/|title=Bionic exoskeleton could transform the lives of paraplegics|work=Eureka Magazine|date=11 October 2012|accessdate=23 January 2015}}</ref> In addition, with a price of between US$69,500<ref name=mashable /> to US$85,000,<ref name=Technabob /> the system is beyond the reach of many patients, especially because, as of July 2014, [[health insurance]] in the United States does not yet cover the ReWalk.<ref name=mashable /> Larry Jasinski, the CEO of ReWalk, stated in 2014 that the company is "working with insurers and other health-care coverage providers to ensure individuals eligible to use the ReWalk are able to purchase a system".<ref name=mashable />
==See also== {{Portal|Technology}} *[[Israeli inventions and discoveries]] *[[Ekso Bionics]] *[[Hybrid Assistive Limb]] *[[Vanderbilt exoskeleton]]
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== *{{Official website|http://www.argomedtec.com/}} *[https://www.engadget.com/2008/07/22/video-rewalk-exoskeleton-helps-paraplegics-walk/ Video: ReWalk exoskeleton helps paraplegics walk] via [[Engadget]] *[https://web.archive.org/web/20110506045618/http://medgadget.com/archives/2008/03/rewalk_exoskeleton.html ReWalk Exoskeleton on Medgadget] *[http://www.geekologie.com/2008/08/robotic_legs_allows_paraplegic.php ReWalk article on Geekologie] {{Israel NASDAQ |state=collapsed}}
[[Category:Assistive technology]] [[Category:Mobility devices]] [[Category:Robotic exoskeletons]] [[Category:2011 robots]] [[Category:Israeli inventions]] [[Category:Companies listed on the Nasdaq]]