eLEGS Exoskeleton For Wheelchair Users Visits Kaiser Permanente's Garfield Innovation Center

Berkeley Bionics took Elegs Exoskeleton for a visit to Kaiser Permanente's Garfield Innovation Center this week. No wonder. Whether they are interested in the large patient pool or the innovative approach to health care, it is easy to see why Berkeley Bionics would be eager to build a good relationship with Kaiser Permanente. Kaiser Permanente, with 8.6 million health plan members is the largest managed care organization in the USA.

Kaiser Permanente's Garfield Innovation Center is a testing grounds for medical equipment and was selected as one of the top ten innovative health care companies in the USA.

A journalist from Fast Company attended the demonstration of Elegs. Berkeley Bionics VP of engineering John Fogelin discussed the the future of eLEGS and stated:

Next up: bringing eLEGS to five to 10 rehab clinics across the U.S. by the end of 2011. After that, Berkeley will make the 45-pound device even lighter and bring it into homes by 2013. At that point, Fogelin estimates that it cost between $30,000 and $50,000, or approximately the same price as a high-end wheelchair.
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This gives notice to wheelchair users who plan to walk by 2013. Start saving money now. Your goal is probably going to be around $30,000 to $50,000.

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