Is there a way to physically simulate the behavior of wearable devices? From shortening the product iteration and development cycle to creating a new method to testing out prosthetics and orthotics… Humotech aims to simplify the development and adoption of prosthetics, orthotics, and exoskeletons. In Episode 21 of the Exoskeletons and Wearable Robotics podcast, we sit down with Dr. Josh Caputo, Founder and CEO of Humotech and Realize Labs, to discuss his company’s unique approach and vision for the future.

You can catch the new episode on YouTube and all major audio platforms.

Main Topics:
00:00 Introduction 09:07 Getting Mobility Technology to be a national priority and in front of the US Senate 16:30 Humotech’s Unique Approach to Prosthetics and Orthotics 40:44 About Realize Labs 46:23 How Humotech’s wearable product development capabilities can be used by larger companies

For more information, please visit:
Humotech: https://humotech.com
Realize Labs: https://realizelabs.tech
Wearable Robotics Association: https://wearablerobotics.com

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Summary Transcript (AI Generated):

Episode Introduction

Episode 21 of the Exoskeletons and Wearable Robotics Podcast opens with hosts Dr. Tom Sugar and Bobby Marinov welcoming their guest, Dr. Josh Caputo, President and CEO of Humotech and Realize Labs. The conversation begins with recognition of the growing “golden age” of wearable robotics podcasts, including Humotech’s own series, Exoskeleton Report’s podcast, and Trexo Robotics’ show, The Excellent Exo Chat, and others. The hosts stress that while academic textbooks on exoskeletons are outdated, podcasts are becoming an important alternative way to share knowledge and keep the community engaged.

Conferences and Industry Gatherings

The discussion quickly turns to conferences as hubs for collaboration and education. Caputo highlights upcoming events in Europe such as the A+A Trade Fair in Düsseldorf, which will include a large “Exo Park.” He stresses the importance of European outreach for Humotech’s growth. He also notes Humotech’s involvement in medically focused gatherings such as the International Society of Prosthetics and Orthotics (ISPO) in Stockholm and the Robotics Summit in Boston. These events help raise awareness among clinicians and researchers who may not yet be familiar with exoskeleton technologies.

Engagement with Policymakers

Caputo describes Humotech’s experiences visiting Capitol Hill and Pennsylvania’s state capital, Harrisburg. While these visits have been more educational than directly impactful for business, they provided valuable lessons on how to frame wearable robotics as part of larger national concerns like workforce development and industrial productivity. The conversation highlights the difficulty of making exoskeletons part of mainstream political discourse in the U.S., compared to countries like Japan where aging populations and mobility solutions are already hot policy issues.

Exoskeletons for Aging and Workforce Health

The hosts emphasize how exoskeletons could play a vital role in supporting elderly populations and industrial workers. They note that aging societies in Asia and Europe face pressing mobility challenges, while in the U.S. the focus has often been on productivity and workplace safety. Both Sugar and Caputo recall positive reactions from labor groups such as the United Steelworkers, who appreciated exoskeletons as tools that enhance work rather than replace jobs. This dual framing—healthcare for the elderly and occupational safety for workers—is seen as central to gaining broader acceptance.

Trade Associations and Advocacy

A major theme is whether the exoskeleton industry needs a dedicated trade association to advocate for funding and policy support. The hosts recall past attempts to build such an organization but note limited industry appetite. Caputo stresses that smaller companies like Humotech benefit from associations that structure membership fees by company size, making advocacy accessible without excluding smaller players. The discussion ends with an open call for the community to revisit collective advocacy efforts.

Humotech’s Platform Approach

Caputo then outlines what makes Humotech unique. Rather than focusing on producing a single commercial exoskeleton, Humotech provides a flexible research and development platform that can emulate prosthetic and exoskeleton devices. This enables faster prototyping by letting engineers and clinicians “test drive” designs virtually before committing to costly hardware iterations. Humotech’s approach serves both highly technical research teams and clinicians or movement scientists who lack the ability to modify commercial systems for experimentation.

Clinical Decision Support

One of Humotech’s most promising applications is as a clinical decision support tool. Traditionally, patients with limb loss are prescribed a prosthetic foot with little opportunity to try alternatives, even though options vary widely in stiffness, durability, and cost. With Humotech’s emulator, patients could test multiple settings or even emulate competing manufacturers’ devices, allowing clinicians to gather performance data and make evidence-based prescriptions. This could reduce the high abandonment rate of powered prosthetics and help insurers justify coverage for more expensive devices.

Broader Applications for Exoskeletons

The conversation emphasizes that these emulation principles apply equally to exoskeletons. With hundreds of models and configurations emerging, determining the “right tool for the right user” is a central challenge. Caputo argues that no matter how sophisticated simulations become, the best test is still putting a device on a person and letting them use it. Emulation, therefore, becomes a bridge: it allows efficient pre-screening of options without requiring full hardware trials for each product.

Expansion to Other Body Segments

The hosts ask if Humotech plans to expand beyond feet and ankles to knees, hips, shoulders, and backs. Caputo acknowledges that while the demand is strong—particularly for occupational exoskeletons targeting shoulders and lower back—the company’s small size (just five employees) limits what they can pursue at once. Still, he cites examples like HeroWear’s Apex exosuit, which was developed with Humotech’s platform in its early stages, as proof of their potential to support broader exoskeleton innovation.

Business Models and Future Vision

The podcast explores innovative business models, such as deploying Humotech systems in gyms or rehab centers to give users access to high-end devices without individual ownership. Caputo stresses that Humotech is currently betting on the clinical decision support model as its main commercialization strategy. If successful, it could open doors to additional applications, from fitness programs to broader rehabilitation services. He remains optimistic that real-world clinical adoption will uncover new use cases and benefits beyond those currently envisioned.

Conclusion and Outlook

The episode closes with reflections on the future of wearable robotics. The hosts and Caputo agree that the field is at an inflection point where education, advocacy, and real-world validation are critical. Humotech’s role, as both a technical enabler and an advocate for evidence-based decision making, is positioned as an important contribution to the industry. Caputo expresses excitement about the lessons that will come from clinical deployments, believing they will yield unexpected insights and accelerate the adoption of exoskeleton and prosthetic technologies.