Are Exoskeletons the Future?

Published: March 4, 2014

Is it possible that in the future, even disabled individuals will be able to walk? Though medical science has yet to find a cure for paralysis and many other ambulatory conditions, there may be another way: devices that provide a mechanical advantage, such as an exoskeleton.

Though this may sound like science-fiction, it is in fact a concept that's already been proven in the real world. Ekso Bionics, a company based out of the Bay Area in California, has been developing robotic exoskeletons since 2005. A company based in Israel – Argo Medical Technology – has been developing a similar device. Suffice to say, in many ways, the future is now. Could an exoskeleton find its way into your life in the near future?

Who Are Exoskeletons For?

The promise of being able to walk is certainly an exciting one for individuals who are paralyzed or disabled below the waist. An exoskeleton is designed to allow just that – for disabled persons to stand and walk. That being said, an exoskeleton isn't for everyone (it should also be noted that the medical exoskeleton is still in its infancy; availability is currently limited and the devices are cost-prohibitive). Individuals who are paralyzed due to neurological conditions such as stroke, spinal cord injury, or disease, as well as those who suffer muscle weakness or muscle atrophy, may be able to benefit from these devices.

How Do Exoskeletons Work?

Exoskeletons are wearable bionic suits. In nature, exoskeletons serve to protect the animal by providing an external shield against damage or injury. In the case of ambulatory exoskeletons, they provide a framework that allows for disabled individuals to stand upright and walk, often using only canes for assistance. By training with these devices, disabled persons can learn or re-learn to walk by practicing proper gait, weight transfer and cadence.

How Do I Use an Exoskeleton?

A medical exoskeleton is worn on the outside of your clothes, not unlike that of a backpack. You fasten the device to your body using straps and supports. The system works through the use of battery-powered motors and gyroscopes. These motors help raise the user from a seated position into a standing position, and if necessary, provide for forward motion as well. Like a wheelchair, an exoskeleton is ultimately a tool designed to allow for a user's mobility and freedom of movement – except in this case, that mobility can be achieved upright.

The Future? The Present? The Uncertain Fate of Exoskeletons

As of now, the medical exoskeleton is still mostly an experiment. While there are a couple of different companies that design and manufacture these suits, they are for the most part still on the fringes of the ambulatory device industry. But that could change.

With adoption, prices can decrease and technology can improve. If this technology interests you, we encourage you to learn everything that you can and take action – contact your political representatives and ask them to provide research grants to help move this technology along. Eventually, you may be able to replace your wheelchair with an exoskeleton of your own.