Exoskeletons were once the preserve of science fiction, but now they are coming into our everyday lives.
Due to improving technology, materials and an aging population, exoskeletons are beginning to come into mainstream use. Tech intelligence experts at ABI Research project that the industry will grow to $2bn by 2030 – that would be a 254% increase since 2025.
Exoskeletons have already been trialled by soldiers in the 7th Corps of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. They can reduce the load on soldiers by up to 30% – a key help for those carrying heavy artillery.
But exoskeletons are also coming into medicine. Different battery-powered devices have been invented to help with symptoms of conditions like Cerebral Palsy, Parkinsons and MS.
At the London Orthotics Consultancy, Charlie, who has a rare condition similar to cerebral palsy, is being fitted with his first exoskeleton.
It attaches to his legs and comes with a wearable battery pack which looks like a small rucksack.
Charlie’s condition means that when he walks, he can’t straighten his knees. If his range of movement decreases further, he could lose his ability to walk altogether.
The exoskeleton works by helping Charlie straighten his knees fully when he walks. As Senior Orthotist Sam Walmsley says, it is like a wearable physiotherapist.
Having an exoskeleton full time offers a new freedom to Charlie. “It would be amazing because I wouldn’t be as tired as I normally am. I live near the New Forest, maybe I can go there [and walk].”
Nina Sparks is a Paralympian snowboarder. She is fierce on the slopes but her MS diagnosis means everyday life is much harder, as the condition robs her of her stamina.
When she is fitted with her exoskeleton, she can’t believe the difference. "Putting this on I was genuinely like oh my goodness, this is how walking used to feel for me. I haven’t been able to walk down stairs like this in ages.”
The suits are not yet available on the NHS, but Dr Walmsley hopes that as costs come down, they will be. “I think this is just the tip of the iceberg. We are going to see an explosion of devices helping hips, knees, ankles, elbows. Patients are going to be presented with so many options in the future which are going to transform their lives.”
Exoskeletons are also being used increasingly in workplaces, especially for staff engaging in manual labour.
They are used to help workers with heavy tools, reducing the risk of injuries and allowing them to work for longer.
There are 22 million sick days a year as a result of back and body strains. It is hoped exoskeletons will help reduce this and improve the health of manual labourers.
David Kral, Product Manager at Hilti, which makes workplace exoskeletons for construction workers, says: "We believe it will get more common to see exoskeletons on job sites and we will see more use, especially in applications like overhead work or heavy demolition work. For customers who do lots of overhead work, for example, this can cause lots of injuries. Many of those workers would benefit from exoskeletons over the course of their careers."
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