I Hiked Using Robot Legs in the Grand Canyon. I Didn’t Even Need My Cane
CNET • • technology
Key Points:
- Hypershell’s new $1,999 Hypershell X Ultra S exoskeleton aims to extend endurance and reduce fatigue rather than provide superhuman strength, assisting users in activities like hiking and cycling by making leg movements feel lighter.
- The device is lightweight (under five pounds), made from carbon fiber and titanium, and powered by a 5,000-mAh battery offering about 18.6 miles of use, with adjustable motors strapped around the hips and thighs for support.
- Controlled via a Bluetooth app, the exoskeleton features multiple modes including Eco, Hyper, Transparent, and Fitness, with a new Hyperintuition feature that automatically detects and adjusts to different activities.
- In testing on a Grand Canyon hike, the exoskeleton helped reduce back pain and made leg movements easier, but did not significantly improve recovery time or overall fitness for a user with spinal stenosis and low baseline fitness.
- Hypershell is positioned as a supportive tool for those who are already active rather than a transformative device; it offers incremental endurance benefits at a premium price, with models ranging from $699 to $1,999.