Did You See This?

Robot Skeleton

A futuristic exoskeleton that gives disabled children the ability to walk.

We’ve seen exoskeletons before, but this video is about an uplifting breakthrough from the Spanish National Research Council (CISC): a “walking skeleton” that can grow along with a child who suffers from spinal atrophy. Even better, its owner can control the mechanism by simply trying to move his or her legs.

Children with Type 2 spinal muscular atrophy lack the physical strength to hold their vertical column steady enough to walk. The exoskeleton is a mechanical corrective to this, allowing them to partially work their muscles and, with some practice, get around by themselves. It’s also telescopic, so its size can be adjusted as the child grows, and it’s designed to fit from ages 3 to 14.

Each leg has five motors that act as artificial muscles—they can be optimized for each patient’s specific symptoms—with the exoskeleton doing everything it can to generate a natural gait. The skeleton’s sensors respond to the child’s slightest movement, instructing the onboard computer to activate the motors accordingly.

The exoskeleton is currently in clinical trials with three young volunteers test-driving the potentially revolutionary robotic frames.