Welcome to the Future

Listen up everybody: The future is here. Super powered computers, space travel, and--robotic suits? That's right, we now have the technology to allow paralyzed people to walk.

Trip out: Argo Medical Technologies, a small Israeli high-tech equipment company have developed a robotic suit--a sort of exoskeleton--that allows paralyzed people to stand upright, walk, and do everything else a person with two functional legs can do. Wow!

The device is called ReWalk, and it will be available to the public by 2010. It is only for paraplegics--people paralyzed below the waist--and not those who have lost control of their upper limbs as well. The user must be able to use the remote control wrist band that tells the computer sitting in the suit's back pack to sit, stand, walk or climb stairs; and it also requires the use of crutches for the wearer of the Iron Man suit maintain balance. For a mere $20,000, it's a steal. Heck, customize a few add ons, like the pulsar blast and jet rockets, and you'll be getting more than your money's worth.

All joking aside, I love this technology. It brings back functionality and dignity to those who have suffered loss of their lower limbs. I've always admired individuals who have transcended their handicaps and continued to live their lives to the fullest; but now it gives paraplegics hope to continue their lives as close to their pre-accident state as possible. I am certain that this type of technology will be available for quadriplegics in the near future. Creating technology that will be controlled by the mind is not far off. You'll see.