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…
ReWalk Robotics aims for 2018 release for Restore softsuit robotic exoskeleton
ReWalk Robotics said today it completed all internal processes related to its Restore robotic rehabilitation softsuit exoskeleton and is ready to initiate clinical trials of the device in 2018, with hopes for a commercial launch in the same year. The Restore softsuit is designed to transmit power to key joints in the legs with cable…
Robotic rehab-focused exoskeleton dev Wandercraft raises $18m Series B
Robotic exoskeleton developer Wandercraft has raised $17.8 million in a Series B funding round, according to a ZDNet report. Funds from the round are slated to support certifications and regulatory clearances necessary to bring the exoskeleton to market, according to the report. The Paris-based company claims that its exoskeleton is the 1st to have managed…
BioRobotics spin-off Iuvo to develop intelligent wearable robotic exoskeleton tech
The BioRobotics Institute spin-off Iuvo has received an undisclosed joint investment from automation company Comau and orthopedics group Össur to support the development of wearable intelligent robotic exoskeletons. The spin-off, founded in 2015, looks to focus initially on research and development and an eventual launch of new wearable robotic technologies, according to a release from…
WATCH: New MIT robot adapts by putting on new exoskeletons
A new robot from MIT can adapt its capabilities with a simple outfit change. The tiny robot called Primer, developed by the Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Lab, puts on different exoskeletons allowing it to roll, float, drive and even glide. Primer starts as a cube, but uses heat to put on the new exoskeleton,…
This exoskeleton could eliminate crouch gait
The first robotic exoskeleton that is designed to treat crouch gait in children who have cerebral palsy, has been created by The National Institute of Health. Crouch gait occurs when there is an excessive bending of the knees while walking. It is a common condition in children with cerebral palsy. The NIH reports that even with…
Bionik Labs integrates Amazon voice control tech into Arke lower body exoskeleton
Robotic rehabilitation device developer Bionik Laboratories said today it integrated Amazon‘s (NSDQ:AMZN) Echo and Alexa voice technology into its Arke lower body exoskeleton. With the integration users of the Arke exoskeleton will be able to control the system and its various activity modes, including standing and walking, through voice commands, the Toronto-based company said. “We…
ReWalk Robotics touts Harvard-led Restore soft exosuit study
ReWalk Robotics (NSDQ:RWLK) today released results from a study of a soft suit exoskeleton system designed to aid ambulatory stroke patients, touting that the system was able to facilitate normal walking ability in patients. The study was authored by researchers at Harvard University’s Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering and Boston University, and utilized a prototype that…
Bionik Labs and Wistron to partner on development of powered exoskeleton
Robotic developer Bionik Laboratories and tech service provider Wistron said today they are partnering to design, engineer and manufacture low-price lower-body assistive robotic technologies for the consumer medical device market. The companies said the new development will be based on Bionik’s currently-in-development Arke lower body exoskeleton, which is being designed for rehabilitation use, and will…
ReWalk debuts Restore soft-suit exoskeleton prototype
ReWalk Robotics (NSDQ:RWLK) today debuted the prototype of its Restore soft suit exoskeleton designed to aid stroke survivors. The company presented the prototype alongside collaborators from Harvard University’s Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, and said it would focus on the suit as a “core company goal” for the fiscal year. “We are thrilled with the…
6 brain-controlled devices helping people regain movement
People who have lost feeling in their limbs or have lost the ability to move them may soon have those sensations restored thanks to a slew of recent brain-controlled device innovations. While we are moving toward less invasive methods like electrode-filled caps on the head, there are still more invasive implants that are benefiting those…
Human exoskeleton takes top manus award at Hannover Messe
At the 2017 Hannover Messe, plastic bearings expert igus announced the winners of its 8th manus awards for unique plastic bearing applications. An independent jury, with representatives from the research, business, and specialist media organization, awarded the 2017 golden manus trophy, along with a €5,000 prize to California-based Pathway LLC for its design for manufacturing […]