The Israeli start-up company ARGO - Argo Medical Technologies develops theReWalk EXOSKELETON robotic exoskeleton suit that allows lower limb paraplegics to walk on their own. The strategic transaction includes a significant capital investment in Argo, as well as, among other things, an exclusive distribution agreement in Asia and strategic and technological cooperation.
The Israeli start-up company ARGO - Argo Medical Technologies develops theReWalk EXOSKELETON robotic exoskeleton suit that allows lower limb paraplegics to walk on their own. The strategic transaction includes a significant capital investment in Argo, as well as, among other things, an exclusive distribution agreement in Asia and strategic and technological cooperation.
The Japanese robot and control corporation YASKAWA ELECTRIC CORPORATION Yaskawa Electric Corporation is considered a world leader in the development, production and distribution of robots for industry, automation, drive control and frequency regulators. Its subsidiary Yaskawa Europe Technologies ((YET), in Israel, develops solutions in the field of drive control and robotics, and provides robotics and drive control solutions to leading customers in the industry in Israel.
Yaskawa Electric Corporation's decision to invest in Argo Medical Technologies was made in view of the synergy inherent in Yaskawa's advanced robotics technology, and ARGO's EXOSKELETON exoskeleton suit technologies, which allows lower limb disabled people to walk and dramatically improve the disabled person's quality of life.
As part of Yaskawa's efforts in developing the field of robots for the use of human needs to improve their quality of life, Yaskawa defined the robots in the healthcare field as having a strategic priority in terms of future product development and commercialization.
Yaskawa is currently engaged in the research and development of an acceptance due to the assessment that the ReWalk device under development will contribute to the expansion of Yaskawa's future product line and contribute to the rehabilitation of people with spinal injuries.
Yaskawa anticipates that the synergy existing in Yaskawa's knowledge and technology in the field of motion control and robotics, and that of Argo in the healthcare field, will be an added value for both companies.
As part of the agreement, Yaskawa will exclusively distribute ARGO's Rewalk in Japan and other Asian countries. Also, Yaskawa will be able to use Argo's distribution channels in Europe and the USA in the future in the sale of its robotics products in the healthcare field.
The two companies also agreed to examine options for improvements to the ReWalk product and joint development of the next generation products.
Yesquah will begin ReWalk pilot programs in research and rehabilitation institutions beginning in 2014, and retail sales are expected to begin beginning in 2015.
Eric Dan, CEO and President of Yesqua Europe Technologies (YET) in Israel: "This is a revolution in the way of transporting the disabled from couplings who need a wheelchair to walk independently. Yesquah, as the world's leading industrial robotics company, can contribute through this deal, knowledge and robotics technologies and advanced mass production, which will allow lower limb disabled people to walk as healthy people and integrate into the life of modern society."
On the business level, Yaskawa will contribute to increasing the potential of the global market for robotics systems for amputees. Dan emphasizes that "the Japanese corporation Yaskawa continues its investment strategy in the Israeli market and plans to expand the scope of its investments in the Israeli market, through its subsidiary Yaskawa Europe Technologies, in start-up companies and mature companies with advanced technologies, which touch the world of robotics and control".
Yaskawa Europe Technologies (yaskawa.co.il) operates in Israel as a supplier to the leading technology companies in the fields of: machine tools, digital printing, semiconductors, solar energy and a wide variety of companies that use robots in production processes. The company in Israel has hundreds of customers in a variety of fields: industrial robotics, automation and control and inventories in industry.
According to Dan, "The deepening of Yaskawa's investments in Israel shows the great potential for cooperation and synergy between Japanese companies and Israeli technology companies. Liskawa intends to increase the scope of investments in technology companies, especially among the company's customers and suppliers in Israel."
It should be noted that this is the third transaction carried out by the Japanese corporation Yaskawa Electric Corporation in Israel, since its first investment in 1996: the joint establishment of the YET company (the execution arm of the corporation) in 50% with the Israeli company Robogroup.
In 2008, YET acquired the share of the Israeli partner Robogroup, which became fully controlled by Yaskawa Electric. The Japanese corporation has now signed a third deal with an Israeli company - Argo Medical Technologies, founded in 2001 in Israel, and today an international company, which develops, manufactures and markets exoskeleton systems for people with lower limb disabilities, such as lower limb paralysis (paraplegia).
The ReWalk exoskeleton suit applies protected technology - a patent that moves legs, knees and hips, and is powered by batteries for prolonged and daily use. The ReWalk system is controlled by a computer and motion sensors, without the need to use leather straps or switches. The system controls the movement through subtle changes in the center of gravity, mimics natural walking and provides a functional walking speed. The personal system is intended for use in everyday life and is now commercially available in Europe and Israel. Argo is in the process of approving the product for use in the United States as well.
The article is based on a joint press release of the two companies and is made available to the public
God-ReWalk
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A disabled person who can get the ability to walk on his own, even if it is awkward and noticeable, would like to, in my opinion. We take our senses for granted until the moment we lose one of them. It is important for me to know if the startup made an exit, or will continue to work as an Israeli. We do not have a knowledge preservation culture in Israel. Everyone tries to exit and after a year they close the company. The giant corporation wouldn't invest in something that didn't have a market.
Daniel, science is very decentralized, not everyone can develop everything and everyone does what they know. In this case Amit Gopher combined his disability with engineering knowledge. Other scientists are working on repairing the nervous system. The beauty of science is that there is no central planning.
In my opinion and from my experience, disabled people prefer to deal with their situation on their own without the help of technology. On the face of it, there is help for the disabled here, but in fact, and most disabled people will confirm this, it is a technology that is cumbersome, limiting, limiting, and burdensome in all respects. This technology only intensifies the dependence of the disabled person on his environment, exposes him to dangers, and puts him in situations where even the smallest malfunction translates to embarrassment and complete helplessness and complete dependence on others. Imagine me with this suit on errands at the bank. Suddenly something happens and it doesn't work.. I crash on the floor, helpless and hanging on by the ropes. A disabled person, any disabled person, prefers to deal with his disability in the safest and most independent way. The derivative of this is the use of a manual wheelchair, light to heavy and as simple as possible. This is also the reason why you won't see disabled people with healthy hands using a motorized chair. Science should invest in the ability to biologically repair the nervous system instead of building white elephants. There is a reason why this system that was already developed many years ago did not take off. A sane cripple would never use it. Pushing a wheelchair with your hand is much more natural and dignified than walking like a robot or cartoon.