Description
The PhoeniX is being developed by SuitX (trademark of US Bionics, Inc). Â The main design goal for the SuitX is to be the least expensive of the powered gait rehabilitation exoskeletons.
The PhoeniX sports a lightweight design, further simplified by having actuation only at the hips. Â This brings the cost and weight down. Â The exoskeleton knee component locks in place while standing or bearing weight and unlocks during the leg swing phase.
The exoskeleton is also compatible with traditional orthotic devices. Â You can use your own orthotic and just add actuation at the hips. Â As a tradeoff, the PhoeniX is not capable of providing full assistance while climbing stairs.
Initially, the device will be available only to rehabilitation centers until regulatory approval is acquired.
Design intent:
- Modular
- Total weight of only 12.25 kg (27 lbs)
- Maximum recorded speed of 0.5 m/sec (1.1 miles/hour, this is usually used to determine if the suit allows for enough time to cross a traffic light)
- Four-hour battery life while in continuous use
- Comfortable to wear while in a wheelchair (due to its small size)
Very thorough 39-minute interview with the lead designer, Dr. Homayoon Kazerooni by Medgadget Feb 2016:
SuitX (US Bionics) 2806 Ashby Avenue, Berkeley, CA 94705, USA website
Exoskeleton Report does not endorse one exoskeleton product over another. Â The exoskeleton catalog is purely for educational purposes. Â The catalog is meant to provide an easily accessible birds-eye view of the exoskeleton industry, and a quick method to sort exoskeletons by type and purpose. Â All prices are approximate and are meant to provide a general sense of the cost of the devices.
Anna,Kang –
One question,
In the picture, the PhoeniX seems to have a pair of wireless crutches. Am i right?
Bobby Marinov –
Hello Anna, to my knowledge the Phoenix is controlled using via the crutches which use wireless communication, most likely Bluetooth. For the exact details, however, it would be best to contact SuitX. For the record, I have not seen crutches with direct wires running to the exoskeleton in any of the modern exos.
joe vecchio –
How does one buy one of these things?
Bobby Marinov –
Your best bet is to contact suitX directly.