A Bay man is believed to have made world history after becoming the first person in the world to own a pair of robotic legs.
Dave MacCalman of Athenree, a quadriplegic world-record-holding athlete lost the use of his legs 32 years ago after breaking his neck in a diving accident. He has invested in a $150,000 "exoskeleton", designed by Auckland-based company Rex Bionics.
He took his "Rex" home this month, having spent 60 hours at an Auckland rehabilitation centre learning how to use them.
The groundbreaking device has 29 on-board computer processors that control movement and balance through the use of a joystick, allowing the user to sit, stand, walk and turn.