Sensitive Soles

Attached with clips and Velcro straps, these motorized leg supports and foot sensors enable paraplegics to move themselves between sitting and standing positions, walk in a straight line, and turn. Crutches help stabilize the walker. Sensors in the foot pads tell the supports how to flex the knees in a natural manner, allowing wearers to move over mixed terrain. The system draws power from batteries carried in a backpack.

Product: eLegs
Cost: $100,000
Availability: Mid-2011
Source: berkeleybionics.com
Companies: Berkeley Bionics