Ekso

A blonde woman in a pink shirt wears a black exoskeleton backpack suit, and is supported by crutches attached to her arms.
Tamara Mena wears the robot suit Ekso. Photo: Gabriela Hasbun

Ekso is a wearable exoskeleton that can augment a person's physical capabilities. It's currently used to get people with lower-extremity paralysis or weakness standing up and walking.

Creator

Ekso Bionics

Year
2010
Country
United States 🇺🇸
Categories
Features
A woman in a yellow shirt wears a black exoskeleton backpack suit, and is supported by crutches attached to her arms.
Interactive
See a 360° view of Ekso user Tamara Mena. Photos: John Greenleigh

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Appearance

Neutral

Did you know?

The exoskeleton transfers its load directly to the ground so the user doesn't bear the weight of the device.

A seated woman is fitted into a black exoskeleton by two people.
Tamara getting fitted with her Ekso. Photo: Gabriela Hasbun
The subject is seated while wearing the exoskeleton, and has her hands on a walker.
She starts off seated... Photo: Gabriela Hasbun
Eythor Bender on exoskeletons at TED. Video: TED

History

Originally Berkeley Bionics, Ekso Bionics began its evolution in 2005 with the ExoHiker, an exoskeleton that let able-bodied people carry 90 kg (about 200 lb) with minimal exertion. The technology was based on research developed at the University of California, Berkeley. In 2009, the company licensed its load-carrying Human Universal Load Carrier (HULC) system to Lockheed Martin for military development. In 2011, Ekso began testing a new version of its robotic suit in rehabilitation clinics in the United States and Europe. Ekso is now in use at 14 rehabilitation centers around the world. After more trials in clinics and hospitals, the company plans to introduce a model for at-home physical therapy, as well as an upper-body device to help workers with carrying and lifting tasks.

A smiling woman in a black exoskeleton suit holds onto a walker.
...then stands by holding on a walker... Photo: Gabriela Hasbun
A smiling woman in a pink shirt wears a black exoskeleton suit, and is supported by arm braces.
...and is off walking with the aid of crutches. Photo: Gabriela Hasbun

More Images

A standing exoskelton suit without a person inside.
The suit is made of aluminum and composites. Photo: Berkeley Bionics

Specs

Overview

Capable of adjusting to different body sizes. Equipped with a wireless usage monitor and three walking modes for progressive rehabilitation activity.

Status

Ongoing

Year

2010

Website
Width
54.6 cm
Height
167.6 cm (max); 145 cm | 57 in (min)
Length
35.6 cm
Weight
22.7 kg
Speed
1.61 km/h (depends on user)
Sensors

More than 30 sensors to measure position, force, and other variables.

Actuators

Four electromechanical actuators (located at the knees and hips)

Degrees of Freedom (DoF)
6 (4 actuated, 2 passive)
Materials

Advanced aluminum and composite structure.

Compute

On-board DSP

Software

Custom C code

Power

Swappable lithium-polymer batteries

Cost
$130,000 (includes Ekso plus support and training program)