A milestone has been marked in the quest to help paraplegics walk again, with the first commercial sale of Rex bionic legs.

New Zealand gold medal winning Paralympian David MacCalman was the first customer to get the robotic exo-skeleton legs invented in New Zealand.

After more than 30 years in a wheelchair, MacCalman is now vertical and on the move.

“It’s just great, such a relief to be out of the chair,” he said.

MacCalman is the first person in the world to own a pair of robotic legs, retailing for $150,000, and said “it takes a bit of concentration”.

And while he’s got a few more hours practice before getting his own custom-made pair, he’s no stranger to hard work.

With four gold and two silver medals under his belt, he is one of New Zealand’s most successful Paralympians.

His first steps brought flashbacks of the diving accident which left him paralysed, and he said he felt emotional after the first trial in the legs.

“When I got into the car and reflected, it took me back to that split moment when I realised what I’d done,” he said.

The designers says that after about 40 hours training, people are ready to go. And they say the legs will not always be as big or awkward as they are now.

“This is just the beginning for Rex Bionics, we’re constantly developing the machine to improve the functionality and safety of them,” founder Richard Little said.

The company unveiled their invention last July and have been overwhelmed with interest from across the world. Chief executive Jenny Morel said the largest number of inquiries was from potential users, but health professionals have also shown interest.

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