Exoskeleton Report Weekly News: 2024-51, December 19

Title & Date: Exoskeleton Report December Newsletter, December 19, 2024

Summary of News Items (AI Generated):

1. Improving Safety and Productivity With Occupational Exoskeletons
   Recent evidence from industry and academia suggests productivity gains in certain areas without compromising the safety benefits of occupational exoskeletons. The focus is on balancing efficiency improvements while maintaining or even enhancing worker protection.
2. Consumer-Grade Hiking Exoskeletons and the Chinese Market
   Many historical and scenic destinations pose physical access challenges. There is speculation whether consumer-grade hiking exoskeletons will fail or succeed in China’s market, considering both the demand for accessibility and the complexities of consumer acceptance.
3. Impedance for Assistance: Upper-Limb Assistive Soft Robotic Suit
   Introduces a quasi-passive upper-body exoskeleton using linked-layer jamming mechanisms. It assists by carefully resisting body movements at the right time, potentially benefiting workers and able-bodied users in occupational settings.
4. Introducing the Eva Exoskeleton (IHMC Robotics)
   IHMC Robotics (Florida), leveraging insights from past walking-assist exoskeleton projects, is developing an exo for augmenting able-bodied workers. The Eva Exoskeleton aims to improve worker performance in hazardous environments.
5. Laevo B.V. Bankruptcy
   Laevo B.V., an early pioneer in occupational back support exoskeletons, has gone bankrupt, marking a difficult moment for a once-prominent player in the industry.
6. Auxivo’s Milestone: 10,000 Occupational Exoskeletons Shipped
   Auxivo has shipped over 10,000 wearable exoskeleton devices since 2020 to more than 40 countries, reflecting growing global interest and adoption.
7. Support Exoskeleton Report on Patreon
   Exoskeleton Report LLC calls for patron support to continue educating the market, promoting investment, and helping these technologies reach end users who could greatly benefit from them.

Medical News:

8. Robotic Exoskeleton for the Entire Arm (TEDxArendal Talk)
   Saeid Hosseini (Vilje Bionics) discusses the history, inspiration, and current state of a powered shoulder-elbow-wrist exoskeleton designed for everyday tasks, potentially benefiting people with limited mobility.
9. Fourier Rehab and University Malaya Medical Centre MOU
   A joint laboratory initiative will focus on advanced rehabilitation technology research. The goal is to improve patient outcomes and encourage the adoption of intelligent rehabilitation systems across the region.
10. Exoskeleton for Walking After Spinal Cord Injury (Interview with Dr. Tristan Vouga, TWIICE)
    A podcast featuring Dr. Tristan Vouga, co-founder and CEO of TWIICE, covers topics like the first Cybathlon race, technology progression, ease of use, and the plan for U.S. clinical trials. Discussion includes balancing user mobility with managing secondary paralysis effects.

Military:

11. Hurotics Achieves Military Service Designation for 2025
    Recognized as a Military Service Designated Company, Hurotics can now enable exceptional talent to contribute to national defense by developing innovative wearable robotics.

Standards & Research:

12. Upper Limb Passive Exosuit for 2023 ASTM Exo Games
    Vrije Universiteit Brussel, which won the Design Award at the ASTM Exo Games, has published a paper detailing the design and rationale of their passive upper limb exosuit.
13. Small Model of HAL Receives EU MDR Certification
    A small model of the HAL exoskeleton has achieved EU Medical Device Regulation certification, marking an important compliance milestone.

#ExoJobs:

• Trexo Robotics: Quality Lead
• Auxivo: Commercial Intégrateur Exosquelettes (France)
• Skip: Three senior software roles (firmware/IoT generalist, fullstack, backend)