University students develop exoskeleton to help paraplegics walk again

Exoskeletons that add supper natural power to a wearer have surfaced for the soldiers. Yes, exoskeletons have also been made for rehab purpose, but still there was scope for a device like the Berkeley exoskeleton, which would get paraplegics out of the wheelchairs and assist them in walking again. Developed by researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, this is a portable exoskeleton, which with minimal training lets paraplegics walk almost normally.

berkeley exoskeleton for paraplegics

This exoskeleton that straps onto a user's back like a backpack pumps hydraulic fluid to move the hip and knees simultaneously allowing the hip to swing through a step as one knee bends. Stuffed in with an onboard computer and battery pack, which keeps the backpack running to six to eight hours on one charge, the exoskeleton has employs pressure sensors in each foot so that both feet of the user aren’t lift at the same time.

Strausser who’s used the exoskeleton claims that he was able to walk after two hours of training, he further adds that "it's very easy to walk in. It moves your leg exactly like you would in your normal gait."