A robotic suit that boosts running

Seems like an odd topic, "Robotic Shorts Make Walking and Running Easier." But then I got to thinking about the applications to help those undergoing PT, and could definitely see the benefits to the product. #ICYMI

These lightweight robotic shorts act as an “exosuit” that helps you walk or run while spending 5-10% less energy. Here’s to hoping the robots aren’t coming to replace us, but to upgrade us.

Our work on a soft exosuit to assist both walking and running was featured in the cover of Science. Full article here: https://lnkd.in/ehStZBw

Really exciting to see the team's hard work get some attention!

Researchers supporting our Warrior Web program developed a soft, portable exosuit that, according to Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, assists users with gait-specific hip extension during both walking and running. The lightweight exosuit is made of textile components worn at the waist and thighs, and a mobile actuation system attached to the lower back that is controlled by an algorithm that detects the transition from walking to running and vice versa. The team showed that with the exosuit engaged during treadmill-based indoor tests, users reduced their average metabolic rates of walking by 9.3 percent and of running by 4 percent compared to when they walked and ran without the device. PI Conor Walsh noted that although the metabolic reductions are currently modest, the study demonstrates that it is possible to have a portable wearable robot assist with more than just a single activity, which expands opportunities for future use. Paper: https://lnkd.in/e8svKva News Release: https://lnkd.in/e7X8M3D

Thanks to Science for highlighting our latest exosuit research. A big team effort and great collaboration with Dr. Philippe Malcolm from UNO. Big shout out to Wyss Communications team on awesome press release incl video with overlaid biomechanical animations! #exosuit