Powered Exoskeletons

Wheelchairs, while they are the best we have right now, are extremely limited. They’re difficult to get into and out of by one’s self, they place disabled people physically lower than their peers, and they can’t climb stairs.

All of that could change if powered exoskeletons become a reality. As with many emerging technologies, production cost is currently a large issue, but the price of exoskeletons should go down in the future. Right now, the ReWalk is the best alternative to the wheelchair, but there are many others like the Hybrid Assistive Limb (HAL) and Tek RMD.

The ReWalk, specifically, allows paraplegics to stand and walk around, allowing for more exercise, healthier lifestyle, and the ability to see eye-to-eye with their peers. Larry Jasinki, CEO of ReWalk Robotics had this to say about his company’s tech:

This revolutionary product will have an immediate, life-changing impact on individuals with spinal cord injuries. For the first time, individuals with paraplegia will be able to take home this exoskeleton technology, use it every day and maximize on the physiological and psychological benefits we have observed in clinical trials.

Additionally, powered exoskeletons of a larger, stronger kind have many more uses. Emergency responders can use exoskeletons to increase their strength, thus allowing them to lift large amounts of rubble and save survivors in collapsed buildings or rock slides, or allowing them to lift larger patients by themselves.

The US military is also funding many exoskeleton ventures meant to help soldiers walk further and carry more.

However, power supplies continue to be an issue in exoskeletons. How do you carry something compact enough to fit in the exoskeleton that is also powerful enough to drive the whole thing? Advancements are being made by many groups, including NASA, but the technology is still a few years out. We included exoskeletons in our list of emerging technologies that could change the world a few years ago, and they’re even more relevant today.