Outdoor & sport
Hiking exoskeleton.
A wearable that detects each step and adjusts its assistance as a hiker climbs, descends or crosses level ground.
The challenge
Rental users needed to fit the device quickly, move sideways and bend to tie their boots. Its motors also had to stop assisting immediately when the user switched them off.
Engineering approach
Kickmaker tested the adjustable frame before adding motors. Motion sensors tracked the walking cycle, giving the control software the timing it needed to assist each step.
The result
Sixty-three hikers covered 752 kilometres during mountain trials. Their feedback helped the team assess the fit and how naturally the device moved with them.