Exoskeleton

Powered exoskeletons (aka exosuits) will probably take off faster than other augmentations as they don't require any surgery or training - just strap on and go! Receiving a lot of funding from the military for the rehabilitation of the wounded, as well as to reduce load on troops, exoskeletons can also benefit businesses with increased load carrying and therefore productivity of its workforce.

Lessons learnt in powered joints and stability will feed into robotics and vice versa, creating a cross-over technology between humans controlling robots and robot-wearing humans. The choice will likely be function specific balancing the flexibility of human presence with risks, for example the military removing the human from danger entirely, whereas disaster response organisations may keep the human onsite but with a greatly enhanced ability to rescue and rebuild.

Resources

Company Nuada - A unique support system that seamlessly improves hand function.

Product HAL - Hybrid Assistive Limb - Lower-body exoskeleton made by Japanese company.

Company CYBERDYNE Inc. - Robotics and technology company producing exoskeleton suits.

Product MATE - Lightweight, portable upper-limb exoskeleton, Muscular Aiding Tech Exoskeleton.

Product CLOi SuitBot - Wearable robot designed to support lower body.

Product Elevate - Robotic exoskeleton designed to help with skiing.

Product ExoChair - Industrial lower body exoskeleton.

Product ReStore - Soft robotic exosuit that helps people with lower limd disability due to stroke.

Company ReWalk Robotics - Bionic walking assistance system.

Product XoSoft - Modular soft lower-limb exoskeleton to assist people with mobility impairments.

More Exoskeleton resources

Exoskeleton

Resources

Recent News

Stroke survivors can now walk faster and farther with this exosuit

Exoskeleton glove for people with limited hand function and poor grip strength

HeroWear developed an incognito exosuit to ease back pain