Tiny robotic wheelchairs could help impaired babies develop – msnNOW

This touching video outlines an effort at the University of Delaware to build biotech robots for babies with mobility impairments. The idea is that exploring, touching, crawling and grabbing are all critical pieces of learning for infants and that movement helps them form “important neurological connections.” Yet kids with conditions like cerebral palsy, spina bifida and forms of autism often miss out on that cognitive and socialization potential, and wheelchairs are not typically available until they are at least 5 years old. The U of D teams hopes to change that. The devices, which act like powered mini-wheelchairs, are not yet for commercially available; however, they are working hard to soon make them accessible to the public.

via Tiny robotic wheelchairs could help impaired babies develop – msnNOW.

Although off-topic, this one is of important, general interest.