The State Of Exoskeletons In 2022

Science fiction has for long fantasised about ways to augment fragile humans’ power and endurance through mechanical means. In Edge of Tomorrow, Tom Cruise’s abilities are enhanced via a combat jacket. Humans in Avatar board the AMP suit to tread the deadly environment on Pandora. Such depictions of exoskeletons – or wearable mechanical structures that attach to joints to assist and/or enhance strength and endurance for motion – have left the realm of science fiction and have become part of our reality. Back in 2014, a paraplegic man suited in a robotic exoskeleton made the symbolic kick-off for the World Cup in Brazil. In 2019, news emerged of a man who could move all of his four paralysed limbs thanks to a mind-controlled exoskeleton. Fast-forward to 2022 and the exoskeleton market is still gaining steam; with models even targeted for the general consumer and healthcare workers.  So let’s take a closer look at where those once sci-fi robotic structures stand today. Exoskeletons’ assistance in healthcare Robotic assistants are no stranger in healthcare but while they are also robotic structures, exoskeletons provide a different type of assistance. Rather than move around independently to clean surfaces or handle deliveries, exoskeletons wrap around the user’s limbs to support them physically. This offers tremendous assistance to those with disabled limbs and rehabilitation is where exoskeletons initially made much progress in healthcare...
Source: The Medical Futurist - Category: Information Technology Authors: Tags: Cyborgization Future of Medicine Robotics exoskeleton exoskeleton technology Source Type: blogs