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Toyota builds AT-STs.

Phex: Dorset Doom

11:34 / 07.12.04

Toyota has unvieled a new line of robotic mobility suits intended to help the elderly and disabled lead a more normal life. That is, if you really consider this normal:

The AT-ST ('i-foot') is designed to help disabled people climb stairs, while the wheelchair from the anime Roujin-Z ('i-unit') can either sit up or recline. No word as yet on 'Ewok proofing', though the small cockpit negates any potential Chewbacca-related technical issues.
More here

Liger Null

14:02 / 07.12.04

OH DEAR LORD!!!! Why do you people always come up with these threads at Christmastime? Just another bitter reminder of the kinds of things I *won't* be getting.

*SOB*

John Octave

18:54 / 07.12.04

Ah, I won't be impressed til they can build me one of those big ugly yellow chairs Professor X hovered around in during the early 90s.

Also, those walker things remind me more of that big robot from RoboCop than AT-STs. Really cool stuff.

charrellz

19:38 / 07.12.04

They seem a little to bulky and wide to be very practical, but then again, I suppose you need the extra space to mount the particle cannons.

Wow, the walker is steered by a joystick! Time to move to Japan and get crippled... Do you think I can get it in black with a pirate flag attachment?

Liger Null

17:11 / 08.12.04

They seem a little to bulky and wide to be very practical

I agree. While these things may look super cool, I just don't see the powerchairs fitting through doors and turning corners very well. And the walker's feet just seem too big to go safely up flight of stairs. But I assume that these vehicles are prototypes, and that once the operational kinks are worked out, they'll start scaling down a bit.

MJ-12

09:56 / 09.12.04

I just don't see the powerchairs fitting through doors

It would smash - SMASH! - through, leaving a powerchair shaped hole in what was the doorway. That's the beauty of it.

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