The balance training apparatus includes: a moving cart capable of moving on a moving surface by driving a driving unit; a movement controller configured to drive the driving unit and to move the moving cart in accordance with a predetermined swing pattern; a posture detection sensor that is provided in the moving cart and is configured to detect that disturbance of the state of a trainee who is standing on the moving cart has become outside of a predetermined range; and a difficulty level setting unit configured to instruct the movement controller to change the swing pattern and change the difficulty level of the training that moves the moving cart based on results of detecting the state of the trainee regarding which a notification is sent from the posture detection sensor.

A balance training system includes a moving carriage moving on a moving surface by driving a driving unit, and calculates a load's center of gravity of the training person's feet on a boarding surface from the detected load. The system sets a stable range. The stable range is a range of the load's center. The training person is estimated to maintain upright on the boarding surface in the range. The system controls movement of the moving carriage in a mode selected between a first mode and a second mode. In the first mode, the driving unit drives under drive control predicting that the calculated load's center shifts within a first range set inside the stable range. In in the second mode, the driving unit drives under drive control predicting that the calculated load's center shifts to a second range set outside the first range inside the stable range.

Powered chairs, assemblies for use in the powered chairs, and components for use in the assemblies are provided. Electrical systems for use in the powered chairs, and components for use in the electrical systems are provided. Control systems and methods for operating powered chairs are also provided. Any given chair may be locally and/or remotely controlled.

The application presents a multi-posture lower limb rehabilitation robot, which includes a robot base and a training bed. The training bed comprises two sets of leg mechanisms, a seat, a seat width adjustment mechanism, a mechanism for adjusting the gravity center of human body, a back cushion, a weight support system and a mechanism for adjusting the back cushion angle. The robot base comprises a mechanism for adjusting the bed angle. The mechanisms for adjusting the angles of bed and back cushion can be used together to provide paralysis patients with multiple training modes of lying, sitting, and standing postures. Each leg mechanism comprises hip, knee, and ankle joints, which are driven by electric motors; angle and force sensors are installed on each joint, and can be used to identify patients' motion intention to provide patients with active and assistant training. The mechanism for adjusting the gravity center of human body, the leg mechanisms, and the weight support system can be used together to implement human natural walking gait to improve the training effect.

The technical description relates to a vestibular optimizer device configured to administer vestibular stimulation to a subject having a head. An example vestibular optimizer device includes a chair having a base, a seat, a back, and a support member, the support member extending from the base to the seat, having a central longitudinal axis, and being attached to the seat, the support member rotatable about the central longitudinal axis, the seat adapted to move toward and away from the base, the chair adapted to move in a first pattern of movements. It also includes a head engaging member attached to the back of the chair and configured to engage the head of the subject, the head engaging member adapted to move in a second pattern of movements.

A method and apparatus include attaching a lighted cup holder to a seating arrangement. The lighted cup holder includes a cup holder body and a light-producing light source, with the cup holder body being attached to the seating arrangement and having a cup receptacle therein, the light-producing source being disposed within the cup receptacle for illuminating the receptacle. A light-sensitive element operatively connected to the light source selectively controls production of light by the light source in such a manner that illumination of the cup holder is provided only under conditions where visibility is reduced to the point that it becomes difficult to locate the cup holder. The light-sensitive element is mounted on a master lighted cup holder and controls illumination of the master lighted cup holder and one or more slave lighted cup holders operatively connected to the master lighted cup holder.

A fiber structure used for a wearable soft exoskeleton suit includes: a first and a second current-magnetic metal fiber layers arranged to face each other and configured to apply attraction to each other by application of electric current; and a variable rigidity fiber layer interposed between the first and second current-magnetic metal fiber layers and configured to be pressurized by movements of the first and second current-magnetic metal fiber layers when the first and second current-magnetic metal fiber layers come close to one another by attraction force caused by the application of electrical current thereto, so as to increase a rigidity thereof.

An exoskeleton (100) adapted to be coupled to a lower extremity of a person includes a thigh link (102), a shank link (104) and a knee joint (106) allowing flexion and extension between the thigh and shank links (102, 104). A torque generator (156) connected to the knee joint (106) includes a wrap spring (110) having a first end (112) coupled to the thigh link (102), and a second end (118) coupled to an electric actuator (116) capable of selectively positioning the second end (118) of the wrap spring (110). A controller (120) causes the electric actuator (116) to position the wrap spring (110) to provide a selective torque between the thigh and shank links (102, 104) based on a signal (212, 214, 216) produced by a sensor (164, 166, 168).

A walking assistance apparatus including a first fixing device and a second fixing device to be attached to both legs of a user, respectively, a motor device configured to provide an active assistance force to the first fixing device and the second fixing device using at least one motor, and a passive assistance force transmitter connected to the first fixing device and the second fixing device to provide a passive assistance force to the first fixing device and the second fixing device may be provided.

A method and apparatus include attaching a lighted cup holder to a seating arrangement. The lighted cup holder includes a cup holder body and a light-producing light source, with the cup holder body being attached to the seating arrangement and having a cup receptacle therein, the light-producing source being disposed within the cup receptacle for illuminating the receptacle. A light-sensitive element operatively connected to the light source selectively controls production of light by the light source in such a manner that illumination of the cup holder is provided only under conditions where visibility is reduced to the point that it becomes difficult to locate the cup holder. The light-sensitive element is mounted on a master lighted cup holder and controls illumination of the master lighted cup holder and one or more slave lighted cup holders operatively connected to the master lighted cup holder.