Ease of Use
Being in Rex is an emotional ride that has to be personally experienced to be fully appreciated. Some have laughed at their first use, others have cried, but all wear the Rex smile.
As simply as pushing a controller joystick forward, the Rex responds by standing, walking, shifting sideways and any other pre-selected movement.
Most Rex users self-transfer but depending on your situation, it is also possible to get in and out of Rex with assistance from another person. Rex users report that using Rex is really easy, and once you have become accustomed to standing and walking in Rex, for most it takes no significant effort or exertion.
Standing Up in a Rex
Once you have strapped in you are ready to stand up.
Rex enables you to stand up independently, without the need for any other aids. You have no need for crutches or other supports. Rex is your support.
To stand, you select the standing function from the menu, lean forward so that your weight is over your feet. Then move the joystick forward as the exoskeleton securely and safely raises you to a fully upright position.
Enjoy the elevated view! An emotional moment for most users.
While you decide what you would like to do next, you can remain in this standing position safely for as long as you like, even with the device switched off.
Your arms and hands are essentially unrestricted while in the standing position. Even while on the move your arms and shoulders have some freedom of movement.
Walking
Once you are standing upright, you can instruct your Rex to walk forward or backwards, step sideways or turn. Simply select the walk function on the hand control and push the joystick in the direction that you'd like to go.
What surfaces can Rex walk on?
Rex is designed for use on solid, stable surfaces such as those inside the home or workplace. It is not designed for use on slippery, unstable, or soft surfaces, on areas that contain debris or small objects such as ice, snow, sand, grass, mud or gravel.
Steps and Slopes
Rex enables you to go up and down stairs and slopes. It has an internal balance system to help the robotic legs navigate and remain stable as you go up or down. Some users may need some assistance with these movements.
Safety & Comfort
Rex has been designed with your safety and comfort in mind and has undergone thorough testing during its eight year development including engineering validation, independent safety testing, regulatory trials under the approval of the New Zealand National Ethics Committee, as well as being developed and tested in conjunction with users, disability and rehabilitation advisors.
Rex does not require the use of crutches; it allows you to stand independently without other supports. This means that you can use Rex even if you do not have a lot of upper-body strength;the exoskeleton is also designed to prevent additional impacts on your shoulders. While Rex does the work of standing and walking, you can get on with doing what you want with your hands free.
Rex supports 60% of your weight through its frame, with 40% of your weight being held by your own legs, providing some low-impact weight-bearing exercise for your hips and lower limbs. This is a significant part of the design because there is a well-established body of literature and research around the benefits of standing, walking and weight-bearing as an important factor in improved bone density, circulation and general health and well-being.
While walking, stepping and turning, Rex takes deliberate steps to ensure you are safe at all times. This attention to your well-being and comfort extends to the design of the hardware, washable padding and harnessing which is customised for each person at the time of fitting to ensure your Rex experiences are always safe and enjoyable.
Medical Check Prior to Fitting
Each customer must complete a medical check with their own physician to ensure their general health and suitability, as well and a series of checks for a range of motion with a qualified physical therapist.
Fitting your Rex
Each Rex is custom-built for a customer's height, health requirements and level of mobility. Fitting includes full individual adjustment by a qualified Rex technician to ensure your Rex is a perfect fit. Rex training covers all aspects of operation and use of Rex, including battery recharging, walking, climbing stairs and ongoing customer care.