You might have seen it on Glee last week, the device that made Artie walk again, and in case you wondered – it is real.

Rewalk on GLEE (Fox)

The REWALK is a special device which mimics an external skeleton and allows paralyzed people to walk. The mechanism controls their legs and supports their body. It enables wheelchair users not only to walk but also climb stairs.

The Rewalk was invented by an Israeli entrepreneur Amit Goffer who was left paralyzed after a car accident in 1997. He developed a system that will allow wheelchair users to “stand up proud and walk again”. Unfortunately, Goffer himself can not use his own device due to lack of partial use of his hands which is required at this initial model. However, he is still hopeful to solve that in future models.

The Rewalk recently got FDA approval and will be marketed in the US starting next month, first in medical wards and rehabilitation centers and later on 2011 it will be available for private purchase. The only downside is the estimate price of  $45,000 which is higher than most sophisticated wheelchairs.

REWALK by Argo medical