Olesha, Yuri Karlovich

News

Take a Load Off With Honda's Robo-Legs

The robotics geeks at Honda have developed an exoskeleton that is worn like shoes to support the body and protect the joints, something the automaker says could reduce injuries on assembly lines but also might help the elderly get around more easily.  The device resembles a bicycle seat joined to a pair of shoes and fits suggestively between the legs to help the user walk, crouch and stand without excessive stress on the hips, knees and ankles. Honda is testing the "walking assist device" at a vehicle assembly line in Sayama, Japan, and says robo-legs could help anyone who spends a lot of time on their feet. More than that, it could help the elderly and infirm by making it easier to get around. "This should be as easy to use as a bicycle," engineer Jun Ashihara said during a demonstration at Honda's headquarters in Tokyo. "It reduces stress, and you should feel less tired." And it might be the only mobile technology that?s geekier looking than a Segway. Honda developed the gadget using technology developed for its ASIMO robotics program, perhaps best known for the vaguely humanoid robot that conducted the Detroit Symphony. To wear it, simply place the seat between your legs, step into the shoes and turn it on. "It does take some getting used to," Associated Press reporter Yuri Kageyama wrote after trying out the legs last week. "But I could sense how it supported my moves, pushing up on my bottom when I squatted and pushing at my soles to help lift my legs when I walked." Beyond serving as an ergonomic support for factory workers, Honda's third leg could have practical applications as potential replacement canes and walkers. Medical researchers have been working on walking-assistance technologies for decades. The HAL (Hybrid Assistance Limb) exoskeleton has passed the prototype phase and is available for rent in Japan. HAL can read bio-signals to anticipate the wearer?s movements, making it a potential life-transforming technology for the disabled and fodder for endless HAL 9000 allusions. In contrast to the complexity of the HAL, the Honda device?s simplicity may be its strength. It runs on two motors and weighs less than 15 pounds. The lithium-ion battery is good for two hours of crouching or walking ? an interval that matches up nicely with break times. While Honda?s third leg won?t be transforming any lives or impressing any potential love connections soon, it certainly will be a welcome, if awkwardly situated, boost to anyone who has to spend more than a minute in a crouched position. Photos and video by Honda Motor Co.
Published: Fri, 14 Nov 2008 11:52:37 GMT - Source: Blog.Wired.Com - Read the article

Literature

A second home in Russia for American astronauts

Over at the New York Times, John Schwartz has a new installment in a series of pieces about current cooperation between Russia and America in space exploration: Star City has become an important second home for Americans working with their Russian counterparts, and it is about to become more important still. During the five-year gap after NASA shuts down the space shuttle program in 2010 and the next generation of spacecraft makes its debut by 2015, Russia will have the only ride for humans to the station. The gap, which was planned by the Bush administration to create the next generation of American spacecraft without significantly increasing NASA?s budget, is controversial. But it is also all but inevitable, because much of the work to shut down the shuttles is under way, and the path to the new Constellation craft would be hard to compress even with additional financing. Those who work side by side with their Russian counterparts say that strong relationships and mutual respect have resulted from the many years of collaboration. And they say that whatever the broader geopolitical concerns about relying on Russia for space transportation during the five years when the United States cannot get to the space station on its own rockets, they believe that the multinational partnership that built the station will hold. For U.S. Astronauts, a Russian Second Home. See these related pieces in the series: One Way Up: U.S. Space Plan Relies on Russia, and Russia Leads Way in Space Tourism With Paid Trips Into Orbit. Image: James Hill for The New York Times. "Cosmonaut Yuri Lonchakov and astronaut Mike Fincke took part in a simulation exercise at a training center in Star City."...
Published: Wed, 15 Oct 2008 18:04:42 GMT - Source: Boingboing.Net - Read the article

North America

Beautiful Lakefront Home in the upscale Lexington, KY suburb (Mallard Point, Georgetown, KY) 4bd

Swap: for 3 or 2 BR single family home or condo in SF Bay area Lease: $1,900 /month Sale: $299,500 Lakefront 4BR home 25 minutes from Lexington, KY RARE FIND - Lakefront Resort living in beautiful single family home 25 minutes from downtown Lexington. One of the best waterfront lots on the 110 acre main lake in Mallard Point. This spacious, bright and very open, approximately 2500 sq. ft. home is located in the most beautiful part of the stylish lake community north of Georgetown - just 10 minutes drive from Toyota, 15 minutes from Lexmark, 25 minutes easy commute by I-75 to Hamburg Place shopping and to Lexington downtown and University of Kentucky. Lake access with private dock; boat stays. Enjoy observing the best of Kentucky wildlife (deer, geese, ducks, and other lake inhabitants) from the large deck and patio. There are tennis courts and playground for residents, as well as other attractions (fishing, swimming, etc.) Home has 4 bedrooms (one on the main floor and three upstairs), 3 fool baths(one on the main floor), plenty of closet space, separate laundry room, spacious 12 foot wall walkout basement (additional ~1000 sq. ft., framed walls, huge windows and glass doors),and offers breathtaking panoramic lake view from the family, living, dining rooms (all with 15 foot ceiling), kitchen, and bonus sun room. Air/Heat recently updated. All electric. Realtors are welcome. Link below contains more information (including interior pictures) about the property. http://www.zillow.com/homedetails/photos/2142511092_zpid For more information or to make an appt, pls contact via email s.yuri.v@gmail.com or call (859) 420-3980.
Published: Fri, 03 Oct 2008 21:40:27 GMT - Source: Sfbay.Craigslist.Org - Read the article