Comau’s exoskeleton story begins through IUVO, a wearable robotics spin-off from The BioRobotics Institute at Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna. In 2017, IUVO received joint investment from Comau and Össur; Comau and Össur held a majority share of IUVO, with Comau the majority holder in their joint venture. The stated goal was to develop and launch wearable robotic technologies, including exoskeletons, by combining Comau’s automation and robotics expertise, Össur’s orthopedic and bionic background, and IUVO’s wearable-technology engineering.

The first commercial outcome was MATE, launched by Comau in 2018 as its first wearable exoskeleton. It was a compact, passive, spring-based shoulder-support device for repetitive, daily industrial tasks, developed through a partnership among Comau, Össur, and IUVO and aligned with Comau’s HUMANufacturing strategy.