Research Overview

The need for robotic exoskeletons is driven by the need to eliminate worker injuries, to help disabled individuals walk by providing lower-limb support, and to reduce factory-related fatalities. Robotic exoskeletons are motorized wearable robots that provide superhuman strength to workers, thereby enabling them to lift heavy equipment in applications that cannot be automated and still require humans to carry out the task.

AI advancements and the integration of deep learning capabilities into robotic exoskeletons have equipped these devices to capture sensorimotor signals from the wearer. These signals are sent to the motors of the exoskeleton, which reacts by causing movement.

Apart from finding application in rehabilitation centers and hospitals to provide physiotherapy, robotic exoskeletons have penetrated other markets such as manufacturing, oil and gas, construction, and military and defense. The automotive industry shows maximum adoption, and key participants such as Ford, Hyundai, and General Motors are actively adopting the technology.