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...