Summary of the Exoskeleton Report Newsletter,January 30, 2025, (AI Generated):
Sports and Outdoor Use:
• Interest in sports exoskeletons continues to rise, with discussions on gear costs and preparation time.
• New consumer products for hiking and mountaineering aim to assist users with injuries or reduced mobility by providing powered leg support.
Industrial and Occupational:
• A Canadian study with 14 participants performing repetitive lifting tasks noted reduced exertion and faster task completion when using a passive back support exoskeleton.
• Another study explored three back-support exoskeletons (Japet.W, HAPO, and HAPO FRONT) in simulated bedside mobilization tasks, focusing on injury prevention for home care workers.
Medical Applications:
• Recent research examines how medical exoskeleton controllers are assessed, typically focusing on factors like metabolic cost, muscle activation, interaction forces, comfort, cognitive load, and user preference.
• The integration of AI in exoskeletons is highlighted, emphasizing both ethical considerations and potential benefits in rehabilitation settings.
• Research and Technology:
• Development of a passive ankle exoskeleton for runners aims to improve comfort and usability.
• CEINMS-RT (Calibrated EMG-informed Neuromusculoskeletal Modeling Software — Real-Time) has been introduced as an open-source platform to align human intent with robotic actions in wearable robotics.
Awards and Recognition:
• The Excellent Exoskeleton Chat by the ET CoE surpassed 10,000 downloads, marking a notable achievement for a podcast largely focused on exoskeleton and exosuit technology.
• HUROTICS’ CEO and Founder received a National R&D Excellence and Top 100 Award, recognizing achievements in science and technology.
• ONERZIA’s passive hip exoskeleton, Onflowus, received a design award for aiding athletes by reducing muscle fatigue and enhancing recovery.
Consumer Developments:
• Haptikos introduced a new hand exoskeleton designed for virtual and augmented reality, offering haptic feedback and improved interaction with digital environments.
Military Implementation:
• A military force showcased exoskeletons in logistics-focused training drills, demonstrating an ongoing interest in using the technology for load management.
Business Updates:
• A global bionics industry map now tracks 500 entities (companies, investors, nonprofits, academic institutions) involved in prosthetics, exoskeletons, and mobility technology.
• Fourier secured a significant investment round to advance its robotics efforts, including ongoing work on rehabilitation exoskeletons.
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