Latest news with #exoskeleton
Digital Trends
07-08-2025
- Digital Trends
The future of walking just got a power boost
Say hello to Hypershell X, the world's first outdoor exoskeleton made for people who live to move. All-terrain hikers, weekend backpackers, globetrotting photographers, and people who just like to walk a lot, will have the Hypershell X just change how they think about walking. Weighing in at just 4 pounds, this lightweight, foldable booster straps around your waist and thighs to give your legs an AI-powered boost with each step. And no, it's not some bulky cyborg cosplay — the Hypershell X is sleek, discreet, and ready to blend in with your daily attire. Power, intelligence, and performance The exoskeleton's claim to fame is its ability to add 40% more leg strength while reducing your overall exertion by 30%. Those are some stats that will give you zero hesitation about tackling that one uphill trail you've been waning on or lugging a 65-pound backpack. Hypershell takes the brunt of it so you can save your joints from the strain. Its AI MotionEngine adapts to your gait and the terrain by using a network of sensors to anticipate your movement and respond dynamically. The more you wear it, the better it gets. It learns your 'stride signature' to deliver power assistance that feels intuitive and seamless. The Hypershell X comes in three models: Go, Pro, and Carbon. Each shares the same 800W peak output and adaptive modes, but steps up in durability and versatility. The Pro and Carbon versions, for instance, boast 10 activity modes including running, mountain hiking, and gravel terrain. With a battery range just shy of 11 miles per charge and a fast-charging time of under 90 minutes, it's ready for the long haul. Built for movement, not for show The Hypershell team built this product for everyday adventurers, not sci-fi labs or military gearheads. Hypershell will help you do more of what you already love: exploring, moving, and seeing the sights. And thanks to an IP54 water- and dust-resistant build, and wide operating temperature range (-4° to 140°F), you can take it almost anywhere. Control is simple, too. There is a companion app for fine-tuning and performance tracking, but you don't need it to use the core features. A built-in button lets you switch modes, power on and off, and the dial in assist levels on the fly. You will receive a gentle buzz when you make changes to get the satisfying haptic feedback. Hypershell is, in every sense, a first-of-its-kind category creator. It's a wearable that tracks your movement while transforming it. The next step in mobility? It's powered. Get ready to hike farther, climb higher, and explore longer with a little help from your Hypershell.
Forbes
30-07-2025
- Forbes
Q&A: Dnsys CEO, Sage Dong, Bringing Affordable Exoskeletons To Consumers
2D representation of a hip-only and a knee-only hiking exoskeleton. Since the very first Wearable Robotics Conference (WearRA) brought together the exoskeleton community in Arizona nearly a decade ago, everyone has had one question on their minds: When will sales of exoskeleton systems increase? Sales of wearables that physically support the human body have been steadily growing. Still, there has been an expectation that there would be an inflection point after which the number of systems sold yearly would noticeably increase. With the introduction of consumer exoskeletons on the international scene, that inflection point may be happening right now. Consumer exoskeletons were initially focused on skiing, but a new generation of wearables with additional applications, like walking uphill and hiking, is starting to gain momentum. Companies like Hypershell, Dnsys, Skip, WIRobotics, and VIGX are taking a version of powered exoskeletons out of labs, medical and industrial centers, and putting them in the hands of outdoor enthusiasts (or those who could use the extra push to return to the outdoors). Sales of consumer hiking-focused exoskeletons, and the online buzz around them, are already nearing the total number of units sold for medical, military, and industrial models over the past decade. Who are the people behind these new companies that are trying to make a change in human mobility? I had a chance to do a Q&A session with Dnsys founder and CEO, Sage Dong, and crowdfunding campaign manager Jojo Li: Q: What was the inspiration behind the name Dnsys? A: Dnsys is short for "Dynamic System," a fundamental concept in control theory. We chose this name to reflect our deep expertise in robotics and system control, it symbolizes our commitment to building advanced, reliable exoskeletons based on solid theoretical foundations. Q: Who do you see as the primary age demographic purchasing Dnsys products? A: Unlike traditional exoskeletons designed for rehabilitation or walking replacement, Dnsys focuses on augmentation. Our target users are people who already have mobility but are looking to enhance their strength, speed, endurance, load-bearing capacity, or climbing ability. We've seen a surprisingly wide age range among our customers, from 25 to over 80 years old, though the majority currently fall into the 40+ age group. Q: How do you prove safety and reliability? Do you use test dummies to do stress testing, outside labs, or perhaps other methods? A: Dnsys originally developed medical-grade exoskeletons. Before the X1, our earlier model — the Dnsys-H1 hip exoskeleton — was created for clinical use… In terms of safety, our R&D team comes from Segway and DJI, with experience designing electromechanical products with annual sales in the hundreds of thousands of units. We also have deep expertise in designing medical-grade exoskeletons from scratch, making safety and reliability one of our greatest strengths. … Before shipment, each exoskeleton undergoes hours of stress testing, including with test dummies equipped with motors and high-precision sensors. Thanks to our medical background, we continue to apply the ISO13485 quality management system in our consumer products. This system ensures strict traceability from design to components and final assembly, guaranteeing that users receive safe and reliable products. After the delivery of the hip exoskeleton X1, we received a lot of positive feedback. Many users indeed reported significant improvements in their walking speed and distance, and they shared their experiences on social media. We are thrilled to see that the product has truly helped users. In response to their demand, we have further developed and launched the knee exoskeleton Z1. Q: How are you able to get the price so low when powered exoskeletons used to go on average for $30,000? At Dnsys, we believe the key to lowering the cost lies in bold yet effective innovations in both business strategy and core technology. Our earlier product, the H1 medical-grade hip exoskeleton, received CFDA certification (China's FDA) in 2023 and was priced at around $60,000, reflecting the high cost of small-batch manufacturing, clinical trials, and company operations. At the time, other companies such as Honda and Samsung were still in the experimental stage and had not achieved scaled commercial sales. Through conversations with sports and rehabilitation experts, we gradually realized the enormous potential demand for enhancing human mobility. However, entering the consumer market was a major challenge: Once these conditions were met, we believed the consumer market would be massive. The key component of any exoskeleton is the reducer — a gearbox that amplifies motor force. It typically accounts for over 60% of the total cost. However, commercially available reducers couldn't meet our requirements for high torque density and were extremely expensive. To address this, we made a bold decision: to develop our own reducer from scratch. This was a massive undertaking. Over 18 months, we redesigned the reducer, optimized gear geometry through computational simulations, and conducted extensive testing. The result was a custom reducer that is 10x cheaper, 50% lighter, 3x more powerful, and nearly twice as efficient as conventional alternatives — while reducing heat generation by 30% at the same output. This breakthrough, however, also required much more sophisticated control algorithms, which we successfully developed to unlock the reducer's full potential. After the successful launch of the X1, our team worked non-stop at the factory for three months to optimize the testing and assembly process of the reducer. This made it possible to scale production efficiently, which allowed us to amortize early development costs and drive prices down further — creating a virtuous cycle of volume and affordability that traditional exoskeleton makers have not been able to achieve. Our upcoming model, the Dnsys Z1, also uses this reducer, which will further reduce costs through shared components. We applied similar strategies to the exoskeleton's 'skeleton' structure. While traditional exoskeletons often use labor-intensive methods such as carbon fiber layups or CNC-machined aluminum — which are expensive and slow — we chose mass-production-ready techniques such as carbon fiber injection molding and aluminum die casting, following six months of supply chain research. With computer simulation–based structural optimization, we were able to reduce weight while significantly improving rigidity… Q: Could you share any sales numbers or the number of units shipped？ A: We've shipped close to 10,000 units of the X1, making it one of the most widely delivered exoskeletons in human history. Of course, this is still just the beginning compared to the scale of our vision. Q: Will you be working towards a certification for a medical device or stay in the consumer realm? A: We believe there's strong synergy between our consumer and medical product medical-grade exoskeletons tend to be expensive and have very few users, mainly because they lack scale. Without scale, it's difficult to iterate and improve the product, which limits advancements in areas like control algorithms, user experience, and manufacturability. In contrast, Dnsys has already achieved significant scale with our consumer-grade products. This allows us to rapidly improve core technologies through real-world feedback, and these improvements directly benefit future medical devices. We do plan to launch a dedicated product line that meets FDA certification standards, primarily designed for use in clinical and rehabilitation settings. This line will include features tailored to institutional and professional use, but it will share the core technology and manufacturing platform of our proven consumer products. This will significantly lower costs and improve reliability, ultimately making exoskeletons more accessible to both patients and healthcare providers. Q: What is one thing that you want people to know about the Dnsys Z1? A: The Dnsys Z1 represents three years of dedication from our team. It's the next-generation product that many of our X1 users have been eagerly waiting for, and we're working hard to get it into everyone's hands as soon as possible. My vision for the exoskeleton has always been to create a kind of 'powered clothing,' something that anyone can wear, that feels almost invisible, yet provides powerful assistance to help people engage in life with more energy and freedom. Together with our supporters, we're committed to making that vision a reality. In short, Dnsys has leveraged its technical know-how to create a consumer-grade powered exoskeleton with sales numbers that are quickly catching up to other application fields. As of this writing, only three non-consumer exo manufacturers have reported sales of over 10,000 units. With a self-reported 10,000 hip units already in the field and a knee model on the way (currently in crowdfunding), Dnsys is making a strong case for 'powered clothing' for weekend hikers and aging boomers alike. We have lived through a digital revolution, which has completely changed how humanity communicates and shares knowledge. There is no reason not to go through a physical revolution, in which we use technology to change how much we can stay mobile and active before sitting down.
Forbes
01-07-2025
- Science
- Forbes
Hiking Exoskeletons: Like E-Bikes For Your Legs
Hypershell Hiking Exoskeleton at National Trails Day, Lake Tahoe 2025 Is this the time when wearable robotics takes off? For decades, researchers and entrepreneurs alike have been seeking the ideal application domain for wearable human augmentation, including medical, military, industrial, and even first responder settings. For the first time, exoskeleton technology is gaining traction and finding a strong foothold among individuals who want to walk and hike more, but could use that extra little push. Americans are bombarded with messages that suggest moving, such as walking, jogging, bicycling, and simply being more active, can lead to longer, healthier lives. The market has been flooded with wearables that track, beep, vibrate, play music, and try to encourage their users to move, but they will not do anything to physically help one move. This is where consumer exoskeletons and wearable robotics come into play: these devices exert force against one or more joints on the body to facilitate movement (or resistive training). Exoskeletons for hiking are closely following the classical Gartner Hype Cycle. They emerged on the scene between 2021 and 2023 as crowdfunding campaigns that easily met and exceeded initial minimum requirements. These new hiking consumer exos joined the already existing sports exoskeletons for skiing and STEM education. Just as companies follow the hype cycle, they have experienced delays and cancellations to date. With the technical hurdles resolved, hiking exoskeletons are hitting the market and gaining popularity quickly. The companies leading the charge on hiking exoskeletons are Hypershell, Dnsys, Skip, and WIRobotics, with companies like VIGX and Decathlon also developing their versions. These hiking physical human augmentation wearables are exiting the Trough of Disillusionment, led by three factors that work in their favor: low price, influencer content, and public demonstrations. Powered exoskeletons have always been expensive. They require motors, controllers, batteries, and motion control that is error-free and intuitive. Typically, they cost in the many thousands of dollars, yet consumer hiking exoskeletons are vastly more affordable, retailing for as low as $990. So does one get one 1/1oth of an exoskeleton for 1/10th of the price? I have been lucky enough to wear and try out over 100 exoskeletons in the last decade, and hiking exos so far appear to be both sufficiently durable and robust. Influencers have been responding positively to this new family of wearables, with videos featuring them reaching millions of views and garnering more publicity than anything that came before them. Consumer wearables have an obvious edge over those designed for hospitals or warehouses, as they can be seen in public places like parking lots and hiking trails. Finally, hiking exoskeletons have the advantage of being easier to show off to the public. There have already been public demonstrations in China, South Korea, and the U.S. These events allow people with no prior knowledge of wearable robotics to clip on an exo and take it out for a spin. The National Trails Day is an event that happens at 200 hiking paths simultaneously. It is designed to introduce volunteers to carrying heavy tools and making repairs and modifications to popular paths. The Lake Tahoe event was sponsored by Hypershell, which donated 30 units. When asked by onlookers what they were wearing, the volunteers began to refer to the Hypershell as 'e-bikes for your legs.' While it is still early to tell, it appears that consumer exoskeletons for walking, bicycling, and hiking may be the application domain in which powered exoskeletons see significant sales and adoption.
Globe and Mail
12-06-2025
- Health
- Globe and Mail
‘I forgot how tall I was': Former Humboldt Bronco Ryan Straschnitzki walks using exoskeleton
It's been a while since Ryan Straschnitzki looked at the world from a different perspective. The former Humboldt Broncos hockey player has been using a wheelchair since 2018, when he was paralyzed from the chest down in a bus crash in rural Saskatchewan that killed 16 people and injured 13 others. On Thursday, he demonstrated an exoskeleton that allowed him to walk along a 12-metre track in Calgary. 'I forgot how tall I was. I'm usually sitting really low, so I don't see people above their heads. Now being here, I get to see everybody's head. It's cool,' Straschnitzki said while standing in the wearable device. 'I feel like Iron Man in this thing. Just missing the helmet,' he added with a laugh. Vancouver-based Human in Motion Robotic's XoMotion system enables people with spinal cord injuries and in neurological rehabilitation to stand and walk with robotic support. Straschnitzki had been in the device before but got to control it Thursday. He used a small remote to move the device forward, backward and turn sideways. It also helped him handle a hockey stick and throw a football to staff at the rehab centre. 'It's pretty cool. I'm glad I played video games growing up,' he said. 'I got to learn how to two-step in this thing. Someone here's got to teach me, and I'll bring it to Stampede.' Straschnitzki said the technology wasn't even an option when he was injured. 'It was more so, is my body going to heal? Am I going to walk again on my own?' he said. 'Over time, you come to terms with the extent of your injuries. And then you realize that science is expanding every day, and there's technology like this one that will allow people with spinal cord injuries to walk again. It's super incredible and I'm very fortunate to try it.' The cost of the exoskeleton is about $400,000. Uyen Nguyen, executive director of Calgary's Synaptic Spinal Cord Injury and Neuro Rehabilitation Centre, said the exoskeleton mimics human motions. 'I never thought this was going to be possible. It's almost a Cinderella story that's come to life,' Nguyen said. 'It is one of the most advanced, because it is the most human-like in movement. Biomechanically, it is smooth. So when Ryan gets into it, it feels great, it feels natural.' The device will be offered to other patients at the centre, including those with spinal injuries or health problems like Parkinson's disease. Siamak Arzanpour, CEO of Human in Motion Robotics Inc., said the goal has always been to help those dealing with injuries have more independence. He said the long-term goal is to have exoskeletons deployed in real life activities, but there needs to be a controlled environment to prove they're safe first. He said Straschnitzki was the inspiration for developing the device. 'In 2018, Ryan probably didn't think about us. But from the beginning, we were thinking about him,' Arzanpour said. 'We wanted to use this device, helping him to walk again.'
Forbes
06-06-2025
- Automotive
- Forbes
Renault Is Now A Strategic Partner And Investor In Wandercraft
Sneak peek of the Calvin-40 The Renault Group has finalized a minority investment in the French self-balancing exoskeleton developer Wandercraft. This agreement unlocks new funding and serves as a vote of confidence in the technology that enables people confined to a wheelchair to stand and walk again without the need for crutches or walkers. Furthermore, the Renault Group will leverage Wandercraft's technical expertise to develop a new line of humanoid robots. This strategic partnership is initially focusing on Calvin, a line of next-generation robots for manufacturing operations (a sneak peek of the Calvin-40 is featured above). The intent is for these robots to perform tasks that require handling of loads in body positions that put too much wear and tear on workers' bodies. Finally, the partnership envisions leveraging Renault's assembly expertise to make robots and exoskeletons more affordable and easier to produce at scale. 'We are proud to continue advancing our mission through this strategic partnership. After millions of steps, and numerous awards recognizing our use of AI for good, this move takes us to the next level. As a world-class manufacturer, Renault Group strengthens our ability to produce at scale while increasing access, which remains critical for our soon-to-be customers walking again in Eve. Renault Group also brings tremendous technological synergies and represents our very first customer in a growing list of clients.' - Matthieu Masselin, CEO and co-founder of Wandercraft. 'This partnership with Wandercraft is a forward-looking move. It will allow us to accelerate on automation and to develop robots for our specific auto industrial use, giving us the opportunity to concentrate our people on more value-adding tasks and alleviate operators from painful and non-ergonomics duties. It will drive productivity through the acceleration of production time and cost reduction. In the end, it makes a lot of sense to combine Wandercraft's unique expertise and technology in exoskeletons and robots, with Renault Group's strong industrial capacity and design-to-cost know-how to bring the production of robots at scale' said Thierry Charvet, Chief Industry and Quality Officer of Renault Group. Indeed, Renault Group's trust in Wandercraft appears to be well placed. Wandercraft's self-balancing exoskeleton won the Artificial Intelligence Innovation Award at SXSW 2025. Wandercraft's use of AI was also highlighted in NVIDIA's CEO Keynote speech at CES 2025, Las Vegas. The company was able to compete by placing a mannequin inside their exoskeleton and still won first place in two disciplines at Humanoids 24. Finally, this isn't even the first time an exoskeleton developer has applied their expertise to the world of humanoid robotics. That honor goes to Fourier, which launched the GR-1 humanoid robot five years after releasing their first walking-assist exoskeleton. The Renault Group has chosen not only to invest in Wandercraft but also to partner with them in creating new and more affordable robotic solutions that improve people's lives.
