Medical

Chinese Technology Company Fourier Intelligence Announces Their First Exoskeleton – Fourier X1

Fourier X1 Exoskeleton, courtesy of Fourier Intelligence

The Chinese technology company – Fourier Intelligence Co. Ltd has now joined the ranks of walking assist exoskeleton developers.  The powered wearable robot, Fourier X1, was unveiled to the public at the World Federation for Neuro-Rehabilitation Conference (WFNR) in Shanghai on March 20, 2017.

Fourier X1 Back View, Image courtesy of Fourier Intelligence, March 2017
Fourier X1 Back View, Image courtesy of Fourier Intelligence, March 2017

Fourier Intelligence is a startup founded in 2015 at Shanghai Zhangjiang Hi-Tech Park.  The company name is inspired by the French mathematician – Joseph Fourier and his honored works such as the Fourier series.  The company provides products and services in rehabilitation robotics, orthoses and now exoskeletons.  Their aim is to transfer the human capabilities and push them to go beyond their physical limits.

CEO Jie Gu at WFNR, Image courtesy of Fourier Intelligence, March 2017
CEO Jie Gu at WFNR, Image courtesy of Fourier Intelligence, March 2017

CEO Jie Gu at WFNR 2017: “At Fourier Intelligence, we do not believe these people are fated to sit in the wheelchair for the rest of their lives. To let them stand up and to allow them to walk again, we started to develop genuinely new exoskeleton products. This began by analyzing the human biomechanics data to measure both the body geometry and gait. The battery-powered system features a light and wearable exoskeleton with powerful motors at both hip and knee joints.” 

At last year’s WearRAcon16 it was emphasized repeatedly that investments for development in robotics, including exoskeletons, has increased sharply in China.  These development efforts are now starting to bear fruit.  Speaking of wearable robotics conferences, Fourier Intelligence will debut its powered exoskeleton in the U.S. during WearRAcon17, this April in Phoenix, Arizona.  Hopefully, the company will reveal more of what is “under the hood” of the Fourier X1 and its rumored advances in force feedback and user interaction.

Fourier X1 Side View, Image courtesy of Fourier Intelligence, March 2017
Fourier X1 Side View, Image courtesy of Fourier Intelligence, March 2017

What do we know about the Fourier X1 so far?

  • Battery powered lower body exoskeleton with motors actuating the hips and knees.
  • The Fourier X1 applies industrial design into the exoskeleton.  It is made of an aluminum body and carbon fiber reinforced plastic plates.
  • Designed for both home use and medical gait rehabilitation programs in hospitals and clinics.
  • Intended for use by stroke and spinal cord injury patients.
  • Enable therapists to provide safe, intense, customized and goal-oriented gait training sessions.
  • LED lights that signal the activation state of the motors.

The Fourier X1 aims to enter the exoskeleton market by being one of the most affordable powered exoskeletons.  The exoskeleton design leverages Chinese know-how in industrial design and manufacturing cost reductions.  The Fourier X1 is a significant step forward for wearable robotics development in China which already includes military and fixed frame exoskeletons.

Fourier X1 Climbing Stairs, Image courtesy of Fourier Intelligence, March 2017
Fourier X1 Climbing Stairs, Image courtesy of Fourier Intelligence, March 2017

Want to know more?

Visit Fourier Intelligence’s YouTube Channel (link) for videos.

Coverage of the initial unveiling from EastDay.com, First exoskeleton robots intelligently made in China, Jiang Wenran, 2017-03-20, http://english.eastday.com/Business/u1ai8568092.html

Special thanks to the Fourier Intelligence team for supplying additional images and information!

11 Comments

Click here to post a comment

  • Amazing ! With China entering the market, the costs will surely be driven down. This will put a lot of pressure on all the other competitors. But unfortunately, other manufacturers don’t have enough margin. Would be interesting to see how the industry reacts to this ripple

    • There won’t be much of a recreation right away. The Fourier X1 will have to be approved first for use in the EU, Japan, U.S., and other markets by local regulators. Also, the exoskeleton market service less than 1% of their potential market. It will be quite some time before there is enough market saturation that they will have to worry about another manufacturer taking away market share.

  • A New player! China is a huge market and I do believe the Chinese company like Fourier intelligence will gain a large market share.Let’s see what’s happening next.lower the cost or disruptive technology?

  • I have a motor neuron disease which is taken my ability to walk upstairs and walk on my own without a walker my disease called PMA progressive muscle atrophy low more than earned it is only affecting my lower limbs love to try one of these devices

    • I hope that there is something affordable that you can use anywhere in the world within a few years to a decade. The collective knowledge on how to make exoskeletons is certainly improving!

Upcoming Events

Read the latest issue of the Exoskeleton Report Magazine:

Exoskeleton Report Digital Magazine Feb 2024 Featured Image square