One-size-fits-all exosuits don’t work: we need exo-tailoring

Exoskeletons can be incredibly useful, giving people extra strength or the ability to move freely when injured or disabled. But augmented performance comes at a cost, and users usually have to put in more effort while wearing these prosthetics. Scientists are trying to fix this: they have developed a new system that actively saves the user’s energy by adjusting the exoskeleton to their body’s natural movement.

Now, the idea that exoskeletons consume additional energy may seem a bit counterintuitive. After all, aren’t they supposed to make things easier? According to biomechanist Juanjuan Zhang, who led this latest research, the problem is that exoskeletons are built on a one-size-fits-all system, and not tailored to the individual. This...

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