Paralyzed man loses ability to walk after exoskeleton is deemed 'obsolete' by manufacturer

[Coloroscopio]

Michael Straight, a former jockey who was left paralyzed from the waist down after an accident, has long relied on a $100,000 exoskeleton to help him walk again. But his mobility came to an abrupt halt when a small malfunction in the device left him stranded—and the manufacturer refused to repair it.

 

The exoskeleton, which Straight had used for nearly a decade, was rendered inoperable due to a loose wire in the battery powering the wristwatch that controlled it. Despite this seemingly simple fix, the manufacturer, Lifeward, deemed the device “obsolete” and refused to service it, citing its policy of not repairing products more than five years old.

 

Straight took to Facebook to share his frustration, writing, “After 371,091 steps, my exoskeleton is being retired after 10 years of unbelievable physical therapy.” He expressed disbelief that something as minor as a $20 battery could be the reason he could no longer walk, especially after investing so much into the machine and its training.

 

 

 

Bad news....after 371,091 steps my exoskeleton is being retired after 10 years of unbelievable physical therapy!! The...

Posted by Michael Straight on Monday, September 16, 2024

 

 

His case brings into sharp focus the broader issue of planned obsolescence in the medical device industry, where high-tech, life-changing devices become unusable due to a lack of ongoing support from manufacturers. It also highlights a troubling reality for people dependent on advanced medical devices. When manufacturers refuse to repair or support older models, individuals with severe disabilities are left with non-functional, expensive equipment. The dependency on these devices becomes an ongoing source of frustration and helplessness when support is abruptly cut off, underscoring the need for stronger right-to-repair laws.

 

Nathan Proctor, head of the right-to-repair project at the US Public Interest Research Group, told 404 Media the situation was a “dystopian nightmare,” asserting his stance that manufacturers should not be able to wash their hands of responsibility the moment a product is sold, especially when it’s a device as crucial as this.

 

• https://futurism.com/neoscope/paralyzed-man-exoskeleton-too-old 
• https://www.404media.co/paralyzed-jockey-loses-ability-to-walk-after-manufacturer-refuses-to-fix-battery-for-his-100-000-exoskeleton/ 
• https://www.thetechedvocate.org/paralyzed-jockey-loses-ability-to-walk-after-manufacturer-refuses-to-fix-battery-for-his-100000-exoskeleton/ 
• https://exoskeletonreport.com/2024/10/exoskeleton-retirement-and-planned-obsolescence-michael-straights-story-ignites-public-debate/ 

 

 

 

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