Ekso Bionics: Exoskeletons as Medical Therapy

It is official. Exoskeletons are part of medical therapy. Ekso Bionics (formerly Berkeley Bionics) and engineers of HULC, an army exoskeleton, delivered the first commercial lower body system to Craig Hospital in Denver Colorado. 
The Ekso is a new hope for paraplegics because it supports their upper body and does the walking for them. The technology has been improving by recruiting volunteers with spinal injuries as "test pilots".


Before passing FDA requirements, Ekso Bionics partenered with 10 rehabilitation centers around the US to perform testing. The company gave the technology to 70 paraplegic patients, in which 63 of those walked an average of 200 steps. Overall, the patients were walking 4000-5000 steps per week. This prototype was an improvement over their latest product, called eLegs.
We also recommend watching: "eLEGs Allow Paraplegics to Walk Again", "Become a Hero: Robot Exoskeleton", and "Honda: Exoskeletons Help You Walk Like Asimo".

Ekso Bionics: Exoskeletons as Medical Therapy

Ekso Test Pilot Sarah
Ekso Bionics develop and manufacture intelligently powered exoskeleton bionic devices that can be strapped on as wearable robots, and can enhance the strength, mobility, and endurance of soldiers and paraplegics. They are the original developers of HULC, now under military development by Lockheed Martin, and the current developers ofEkso (formerly eLEGS), which allows wheelchair users to stand and walk.