900 watts of walking assistance or resistance, depending on your use case. That's more than my electric bike. Youtube reviews seem to focus on hiking, running, jumping and resistance training, but I think they'd do even better marketing to seniors.
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/dnsys/dnsys-x1-exoskeleton-unleash-superhuman-athletic-potential
>seniors
*almost* pulled the trigger on that one
>*almost*
What was the deal breaker?
Watching that second video was pretty helpful in understanding how it works. I wasn't sure it would work at first glance because it transfers the force over to the hip and other leg. I remember the one being developed for the US army had an exoskeleton that went all the way to the ground so that it carried some of the load.
BTW, did you guys see the Moonwalkers? Kinda the same thing but different.
https://www.wired.com/video/watch/on-the-go-moonwalkers
No no no. Just no.
This would be potentially great for people who are elderly or in the early stages of MS or Parkinson's. So many worthy use cases, but superhiker is simply not one of them. There is nobody I know who runs and hikes trails who wants something like this.
If we wanted complex assistive technology, we would be cyclists ;-)
>deal breaker?
Odds are I would never bother using it even if it turned out to be solid tech (which I doubt).
I think the meathead types will embrace the "resistance" mode to help them build up. And, yes, people with disabilities such as chronic cancer or MS will use this as well.
<mind the gap>
I tried Hypershell's X-series exoskeleton at CES, and it was a fascinating experience | ZDNET
https://www.zdnet.com/article/i-tried-hypershells-x-series-exoskeleton-at-ces-and-it-was-a-fascinating-experience/
Somewhat related - airbags for elders
https://sairbagpro.com/
Looks like the technology has a ways to go though
https://youtu.be/ehl_L0MvQHY?si=V-VSMoL2GugIh2-y&t=491
>Hypershell's X-series
Again marketed to hikers and athletes instead of the elderly walking assist market. Odd.
Quote from: Travoli on January 15, 2025, 10:30:32 PM
Again marketed to hikers and athletes instead of the elderly walking assist market. Odd.
I find that usually when you see a disconnect like that, if you can find a "Who We Are" or "About Our Team" photo, it all comes into focus instantly. I remember one app where the fonts were so small it was impossible to use and I thought, "Don't they have anyone over 40 on their team?" When I saw the "Our Team" photo, it looked like they had nobody over 30.
Meanwhile, from the article: "This isn't for the hardcore athlete, but if you're someone that
enjoys a quiet hike in Yosemite, then this is for you as the motors in the Hypershell will offer subtle assistance to your quadriceps and hips as you pace up or down the trail."
The only problem is that most trails in Yosemite and all trails that be considered "quiet" are in Wilderness (aka designated, legal, "capital W Wilderness" as opposed to just a wild place that we call wilderness) which, in a plain reading of the law, would make this illegal. Congress was very careful to address all mechanized transport, not just motor vehicles, which is why the act has been able to respond to new technologies like mountain bikes (which are also illegal in wilderness).
As Congressional Acts are generally a bit general, each agency has to come up with implementation documents. The USFS and BLM both use this language:
"Any contrivance for moving people or material in or over land, water, or air, having moving parts,
that provides a mechanical advantage to the user, and that is powered by a living or nonliving power source."
https://winapps.umt.edu/winapps/media2/wilderness/toolboxes/documents/tools/Mechanization%20in%20Wilderness.pdf
So not only would this be a thing that seems more useful to elderly people or people with MS or any number of use cases, the one use case actually envisioned in the article is not allowed under the law.
To be fair, though, the company is based in China and we wouldn't expect them to understand US regulations, so the journalist is the one to blame for the Yosemite comment.
I Cheated A Marathon Using An Exoskeleton
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYOAbCQ6DUo
TL;DW - he sets a PR and has to change batteries about 5 times.
It was just a matter of time:
Nike Unveils Project Amplify, the World's First Powered Footwear System for Running and WalkingQuoteThis makes it easier for everyday athletes* to walk or run more often, for longer amounts of time, while having more fun — adding movement to their lives, extending their walking commute, or helping them to enjoy the run for another mile or two.
* If you have a body, you are an athlete.
https://about.nike.com/en/newsroom/releases/nike-project-amplify-official-images
https://www.foxnews.com/tech/nike-partners-robotics-company-create-worlds-first-motor-powered-footwear-system
QuoteNike says this is not a system built to help elites in their training, but for everyday athletes looking to run at a 10-minute per mile pace rather than a 12-minute per mile pace
https://www.tomsguide.com/wellness/running/nikes-controversial-new-running-shoe-is-like-an-e-bike-for-your-feet-meet-project-amplify
"There's a sucker born every minute." -attributed to P.T. Barnum
I'm not a priori against these things. A friend has some heart issues and so riding a bike on the steep hills of our neighborhood would be out of the question. But with an e-bike, he gets out a lot more often than he did when his only option was walking. I think that's wonderful. And we can bike together.
What I think is absurd is marketing this to 12 min/mile runners so they can run 10 min/mile. Why would anyone care? And what is that buying you?
It still seems like a better product for injury rehab or seniors.
>with an e-bike, he gets out a lot more
A lot of these '1st World Nicetie$' have a real, substantive use in Assistive Care. BUT methinks that most of those that need them for that purpose couldn't afford them.
Related: Toyota walking wheelchair
https://www.designboom.com/technology/autonomous-wheelchair-foldable-tentacle-legs-climb-stairs-sit-toyota-japan-mobility-show-2025-10-29-2025/
Would you let this carry you up stairs?
1-3 stairs, definitely.
4+ stairs after extensive testing
THAT is incredible though. I have seen a couple of paralyzed people I know who need a lot of help with a single step. Having something that just solves the 1-3 step problem would be a game changer
That is so cool. I see so many people trapped behind steps.
Another key attribute it that the seat height can go up and down, making it easier to get on and off.
Brilliant.
Off topic a bit, but I have been riding an ebike instead of driving my car to work. It is a short commute, but I go back and forth twice a day, about l3 miles driving and 8.5 miles on a bike due to some shortcuts and bike trails.
Having an electric bike feels like a cheat code. I take just a few minutes longer than drive, not go door to door faster because I don't have to hunt for parking or walk the distance from my car. It is actually less physical exertion than driving plus walking.
Back on topic:
I could imagine something like the above mobility robot, but adding some wheels for long distance efficiency as an incredibly useful tool for people with mobility issues.
I have a friend who takes the train to near work, then bikes up a huge hill for the last couple miles. He didn't want to drive, but also didn't want to lecture dripping in sweat. The e-0bike is allowed in the train and solves the problem.
I think all these use cases are great. What I just can't wrap my mind around is marketing them for sports performance. If I'm going to use an exoskeleton or an e-bike to improve my performance, why not a car?
>why not a car?
Environmental impact, cost of use and convenience for some. In my case I bypass the struggle for parking on the street in an industrial area. The ebike uses energy at an equivalent of 2000 mpg. An exoskeleton will likely use more, but far less than a car.
LM, I was referring to the "sports performance" marketing angle, not the myriad excellent potential uses of these devices.
I 100% understand and understood your logic. Same as my friend - his whole family has taken a "no fly" pledge because of climate. The ebike saves CO2 and money. Makes perfect sense.
Also, my neighbor who after heart-valve replacement and bypass and pacemaker, simply doesn't have what it takes to bike the steep hills of our neighborhood. For him, the e-bike is a godsend that has dramatically increased how much he gets out of the house. Plus we are able to bike together (and he kicks my ass of course).
All that is great and I totally understand that a car is fundamentally different and worse in all those cases and I would have expected the marketing to based on those types of cases.
I was referring specifically to the marketing pitches for the Nike product and the exoskeleton that started off this thread. The first pitch seemed to be oriented at tech bros who want to "conquer" a mountain aided by an exoskeleton or some such macho nonsense, followed by the guy who used it to run a marathon. And the Nike one is also framed that way - run faster.
In other words, I'm baffled by the marketing strategy. I'm not even bothered if someone *wants* to run a marathon in an exoskeleton, but I think 99.99% of the people who want to "run" a marathon want to actually *run* a marathon.
I would expect a pitch to be about keeping up with friends or being able to hike with grandkids or something like that. But I guess the biggest overlap between people who love gadgets and people with a lot of disposable income is young males, not grandpas (who only have the disposable income, but tend to be more gadget-skeptical).
Now here's what I was expecting
https://x.com/kimmonismus/status/2000972607500304690
Man in wheel chair rolls up, is able to put on exoskeleton without help, then walks away without wheelchair.
It's always fun to see these kind of progress videos. Still much work to do.