What is this article mainly about?
a an invention called rewalk uses robotic pants with sensors and motors to allow people in wheelchairs to walk.
b an invention called rewalk costs about $100,000 and prevents costly medical complications that some people can encounter.
c argo medical technologies ltd. is working on a device for quadriplegics, so that more people can get out of their wheelchairs.
d argo medical technologies ltd. joins several companies that have developed technology in the field of medicine.

article:

jerusalem, israel. when israeli entrepreneur amit goffer was paralyzed in a car crash in 1997, he went on a quest to others walk again. eventually, he invented an alternative to the wheelchair: robotic "pants" that use sensors and motors to allow paraplegics to stand, walk, and even climb stairs. he called his invention "rewalk."

rewalk is a 35-pound device that is worn outside of the user's clothing. it has leg braces that are kept in place with a harness around the user's waist. a backpack holds a computer and a rechargeable 3 1/2-hour battery. the wearer also uses crutches to remain stable while walking. rewalk cannot operate without cooperation from the wearer—the device is outfitted with motion sensors and motorized joints that respond to small changes in the user's upper-body movement and shifts in balance.

"rewalk is a man-machine device. the machine cannot walk by itself. the user cannot walk by himself. only when they are together they can walk," said oren tamari. tamari is chief operating officer of argo medical technologies ltd., the company that goffer founded to sell rewalk.

rewalk will be used in rehabilitation centers, places where people who are injured learn to deal with their disabilities. tamari says that using rewalk, a device that costs about $100,000, can prevent costly complications associated with people who are unable to walk. these health problems include pressure sores, as well as digestive, circulatory, and cardiovascular (heart) problems. all of these problems can develop after long periods of sitting or lying down.

argo joins several companies that have developed robotics and exoskeletons in medicine. tibion corporation of california is promoting a "bionic leg" that is quite similar to rewalk. but the bionic leg is intended to patients who have suffered strokes to walk again. ossur of iceland makes a powered knee replacement that lets amputees walk.

unlike the devices developed by tibion and ossur, rewalk targets paraplegics. still, argo, which started selling rewalk in january 2011, has competition from other companies that are creating products for the same patients. in november 2010, berkeley bionics of california unveiled elegs, which is similar to rewalk.

all of these companies developed their devices as alternatives to wheelchairs or assistance from health professionals. those who have tested rewalk say they appreciate the independence and freedom of movement it provides.

"when i use the rewalk, i feel like i am maintaining my body," said radi kaiuf. kaiuf was a rewalk tester who was paralyzed in 1988 while serving in the israeli military. "it feels great. i have a 3-year-old daughter. the first time she saw me walking, she was silent for the first few minutes and then she said, 'daddy you are tall.' it made me feel so good, like i was soaring."

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photo credit: ap/oded balilty
goffer is not a paraplegic, but a quadriplegic, meaning that he is paralyzed from the neck down. rewalk users need their hands and shoulders to operate the device and use crutches. so goffer is not yet able to enjoy his invention. he noted, however, that argo is working on a version for quadriplegics, so that he and many others can get out of their wheelchairs.