Myomo is working with contract manufacturers for its MyoPro assistive devices, which use sensors, algorithms, and motors to help wearers regain upper-limb function.
ReWalk Robotics wins CE Mark for ReStore soft exoskeleton
ReWalk Robotics has won CE Mark clearance in the European Union for its ReStore soft exo-suit designed for use in stroke rehabilitation. The Marlborough, Mass.-based company touted the clearance as the first for a soft exo-suit in the region. The ReStore exo-suit features a soft, garment-like design and is intended to adaptively synchronize with a…
V3 of shoulderX exoskeleton from suitX includes new features to reduce worker strain
BERKELEY, Calif. — US Bionics Inc., doing business as suitX, this week announced the official launch of shoulderX V3, its third-generation wearable exoskeleton. The company said it is the world’s most advanced shoulder-supporting exoskeleton for use by automotive, construction, and shipbuilding workers. shoulderX augments its wearer by reducing forces at the shoulder complex, substantially reducing…
maxon precision motors opens new U.S. HQ, manufacturing with room to grow
TAUNTON, Mass. — maxon precision motors inc., the U.S. division of Switzerland-based maxon motor AG, today officially opened its new U.S. headquarters and manufacturing facility in Taunton, Mass. Building the new headquarters was a two-year process, said Chris Blake, president of maxon precision motors. “Taunton was very welcoming in a business and a social sense,”…
Sarcos wins another U.S. contract for Guardian XO full-body exoskeleton
SALT LAKE CITY and BELLEVUE, Wash. — Today, Sarcos Robotics announced that it has been awarded a contract by the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) to deliver a pre-production version of its Guardian XO full-body, autonomously powered robotic exoskeleton. Sarcos‘ exoskeleton is capable of operating for up to eight hours per battery charge while…
Robotics investments February 2019
Robotics investments totaled at least $4.3 billion in February 2019 in a steep increase from January, which had about $1.4 billion. In addition, companies reported approximately $3.9 billion worth of acquisitions this past month. Any political or economic jitters have not yet harmed the mood for robot deals. The Robotic Industries Association noted yesterday that robot…
Toyota Mobility Unlimited Challenge finalists vie for $1M to aid people with disabilities
Ride-hailing services, electric vehicles, delivery robots, and self-driving cars and trucks are changing transportation at the fastest pace in decades. Toyota Motor Corp. has been a leader among automakers in expanding its focus to personal mobility. The Toyota Mobility Unlimited Challenge is a three-year, $4 million competition for improving mobility for people with disabilities. At…
Industrial exoskeletons expand worker capabilities, to help healthcare
Many of the most visible demonstrations of exoskeletons have been for assisting people with disabilities. However, limitations of weight, power, and cost have resulted in slow rates of adoption. In the meantime, the technology continues to advance, with industrial exoskeletons providing application experience. While the majority of today’s $130 million wearable robotics market is for…
Industrial exoskeletons: new systems, improved technologies, increasing adoption
The exoskeleton sector continues to evolve, and in some sense has begun to normalize. The medical, business and technical press has long reported on exoskeleton technologies designed for medical rehabilitation and as mobility aids, even though commercial success and large-scale adoption has not yet been realized. Recently, however, reportage, along with focus of a number…
Roam Robotics raises $12M Series A for skiing exoskeleton
Certainly you’ve seen exoskeletons for medical and industrial use. But for skiers? Yes, there’s an exoskeleton now for that too. Roam Robotics, a San Francisco-based startup, closed a $12 million Series A round of funding. Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. led the investment round with participation from existing and new investors Boost VC, Heuristics Capital Partners,…
Soft exosuit with multiple joints tunes itself to individual users
In the future, a smart textile-based soft exosuit could be worn by soldiers, fire fighters and rescue workers to help them traverse difficult terrain and arrive fresh at their destinations so that they can perform their respective tasks more effectively. They could also become a powerful means to enhance mobility and quality of living…
Seismic Powered Clothing wants to augment your everyday strength
Seismic, a Menlo Park, Calif.-based startup formerly known as Superflex, today unveiled its Powered Clothing line. And the company wants you to know: this is not an exoskeleton. Seismic CEO and co-founder Rich Mahoney, well-respected in robotics circles, says the Powered Clothing “fuses discreet robotics with textiles” to act as an extension of the human…
Sarcos Robotics raises $30M to scale production
Sarcos Robotics secured $30 million in Series B funding. The funding will help scale production and deployment of its Guardian S inspection and surveillance robot and prepare for the launch of its Guardian XO powered industrial exoskeleton in late 2019. The Series B funding was co-led by DIG Investment and Alex. Brown & Sons. Each of the Series A investors also participated in the Series B, including Caterpillar…
Ford Adding EksoVest Exoskeletons to 15 Automotive Plants
After successful pilots at two plants in Dearborn, Michigan the past 16 months, Ford is rolling out 75 upper body EksoVest exoskeletons across 15 automotive plants worldwide. The automaker has partnered with Ekso Bionics to augment its employee’s capabilities in the US, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Romania, China and Thailand in the coming months. The is the largest…
VA extends support of ReWalk Robotics powered exoskeletons
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in June 2018 revised its national policy for ReWalk Robotics‘ powered exoskeleton for qualifying veterans with spinal cord injuries (SCI). The revision expands access to training program locations among the VA network and private rehabilitation centers throughout the VA’s Veterans Choice Program. The updated policy also includes further…
ReWalk Robotics ReStore soft exoskeleton expands clinical trials
Clinical trials for the ReWalk Robotics ReStore soft exoskeleton are expanding to five research centers in the United States. The centers involved in the ReWalk Robotics ReStore trials include the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab (Chicago), Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital (Boston), the MossRehab Stroke and Neurological Disease Center (Elkins Park, PA), TIRR Memorial Hermann (Houston), and the Kessler Foundation (East…
Festo Bionic Learning Network adds robot bats, fish, spiders
The Festo Bionic Learning Network has released it latest biomimicry innovations to support ongoing research in engineering, manufacturing, and materials science drawn from natural systems. Here are the 2018 additions to the Festo Bionic Learning Network: A transforming spider that rolls or creeps A robotic fish that autonomously maneuvers through acrylic water-filled tubing A semi-autonomous flying…
Industrial exoskeletons arrive, more to come
“Exoskeletons” are those mechanical devices or soft materials worn by patients/operators, whose construction mirrors the structure of operator’s limbs, joints, and muscles, works in tandem with them. Exoskeletons are used as a capabilities amplifier, assistive device, haptic controller, or for rehabilitation. Exoskeletons stand in contrast to non-articulated mechanisms such as braces and slings that do…
Maxon Motor Introduces Exoskeleton Joint Actuator
maxon motor has developed an exoskeleton drive for use in robotic limbs. This complete joint actuation unit consists of a pancake brushless DC motor with inertia optimized rotor. According to maxon, also included with the exoskeleton drive is an internal high resolution encoder, planetary gearhead with absolute encoder, and a position controller with CAN and RS232 interface. Exoskeleton…
ReWalk Robotics Raises $20M to Expand into China
ReWalk Robotics, which develops rigid and soft exoskeletons to help people walk again after injuries and strokes, is expanding into China expand thanks to a $20 million investment from Hong Kong-based Timwell Corporation Limited. ReWalk and Timwell affiliate companies will form a joint venture in China to develop, manufacture and market ReWalk’s exoskeletons in China,…
Machine Learning Personalizes How Soft Exosuits Work
Researchers from the Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering and the Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied and Sciences (SEAS) are using machine learning to personalize the controls of soft exosuits. The machine learning algorithm rapidly identifies the best control parameters for the soft exosuit to minimize the amount energy the human…
ReWalk shares slide on Q3 prelim release
ReWalk Robotics today saw shares dip slightly after releasing preliminary financial results for its 3rd quarter despite posting revenues ahead of consensus on Wall Street. The Israel-based company said it expects to post sales of $1.7 million for the 3 months ended Sept. 30, up 21.4% from the $1.4 million the company posted for the…