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Spinoff story
Foldable Walker
A real-world story of NASA technology finding a life beyond the mission.
About this technology
Overview
Paraplegics, who number about 100,000 in the United States, depend on crutches for their mobility on level ground. There exists a need for a walker specifically designed for stair use. Engineers at Langley Research Center developed a project involving development of a very light walker that is foldable for easy carrying. Prototype stair walker is based on composite materials being developed by NASA for aircraft and spacecraft. Material selected was a graphite-epoxy composite which is stronger yet 50 percent lighter than aluminum. Front legs are eight inches longer than the rear legs to fit the uneven surface of a staircase.