This year, members of the Seattle Mountain Rescue search and rescue team have been venturing into the wild areas of the Pacific Northwest of the United States usingunusual equipment.
They have been hiking in nature withmotorized assistance devicesattached to the hips and legs. Designed to increase the strength of the lower body during climbs or when carrying heavy loads, these devices are being tested to see if they can increase the speed and endurance of rescuers when it matters most – during searches for missing people.
Devices like these are calledexoskeletons. They attach to parts of the body to create an external mechanical structure – or “exo”. This motorized structure increases the physical capabilities of the user.
In tasks that require a lot of physical exertion, workers are increasingly using these types of devices to perform strenuous tasks. The Swedish furniture retailer IKEA already usesexoesqueletos SuitXfor several years. They help employees in their warehouses in handling heavy materials. TheFord, Boeingand theMazda and Toyotaalso adopted the technology in some of their production lines.
In Finland, a recent projectcalled ExoPELAevaluated whether exoskeletons could reduce muscle strain and tension in rescue and firefighting work. The project found thatperceptible benefitsfor users in specific real-world tasks.
And, in early 2026, the Ukrainian Armed Forcesrevealedthat their soldiers had been using Hypershell exoskeletons on the front lines to assist in the transport of artillery projectiles. According to the test results, soldiers who use the devices "feel less tired, work faster, and maintain their combat effectiveness for longer," said Colonel Vitalii Serdiuk to the newspaper.Ukrinformin March.
Various clinical and consumer devices, designed fordaily assistance, rehabilitationandphysical exercisesare also available.Some estimatesassess the total revenue of the sector at approximately US$ 500 million (R$ 2.5 billion) currently, and predict that it could double or triple by the mid-2030s.
The technology of exoskeletons has advanced significantly in the last decade. This is largely due to the fact that robotic motors, sensors, and control systems have become more accessible and affordable. However, the concept of enhancing human performance with devices similar to exoskeletons dates back much further.
One of the earliest known concepts waspatented in 1890by Nicholas Yagn, a self-taught Russian inventor, who designed a wearable device for physical exercise. And in 1919, the American Leslie C. Kelley received apatent for a steam-powered deviceintended to assist movement, one of the earliest concepts of a motorized exoskeleton.
In the late 1960s, severalrobotic exoskeletonsthat incorporated electronic control systemshad already been developedSince then, the research and development of exoskeletons has advanced rapidly, leading to the emergence of numerous devices with commercial and clinical applications.
How they work
Exoskeletons generate forces to make the user stronger, faster, or less susceptible to fatigue.
Some devices alsoimprove the precision of movements and dexterityor assist with overall posture. Some are designed to enhance human capabilities beyond what is normally possible. Othershelp patientswith reduced physical capacity.
Modern and active robotic exoskeletons typically consist of a lightweight mechanical structure with ergonomic attachments that attach to the human body. They are usually attached to the torso, waist, and upper or lower limbs.
For example, the Hypershell device, used in the war in Ukraine, is attached to the user's waist and thighs to assist in hip flexion and extension and strengthen lower body movements. The SuitX device, used by IKEA, is attached to the torso and upper limbs to support the back and shoulders.
In most motorized exoskeletons, mechanical components calledactuatorsconvert electrical energy from batteries into mechanical motion, generating forces that assist or enhance body movements.
The actuators are coordinated by control units embedded in the exoskeleton. They define the trajectories of the exoskeleton's movements and the amount of force it applies to the user's body. The exact way in which the device moves and with what intensity will depend on the task and the user's state – the device uses sensors to determine what is necessary.
For example, if a user starts to run, the exoskeleton will accelerate their supporting movements. If it detects that the user is starting to tire, it can increase its power to compensate.
The control units are typically pre-programmed for specific tasks, although modern exoskeletons are becoming increasingly adaptable.Someare equipped with algorithms that learn from the actual user behaviors during work to better assist them in their actions.
The assistance provided by exoskeletons generally falls into three categories.
Theincrease in powerincreases the user's ability to exert force. This is common in assistive exoskeletons, such as those being used by IKEA and in Ukraine.
The settings are alreadyas needed assistanceoras needed resistanceThey provide support to the body only when necessary. This configuration is often used in rehabilitation devices to help users train their bodies to regain lost abilities.
Finally, there is thetotal robotic controlin which the exoskeleton assumes total control over part of the body. This is typically indicated for users who have lost certain motor functions. For example, an exoskeleton for the lower body can use total robotic control to allow someone with a spinal cord injury to walk.
These modes of operation can be combined and adapted according to the specific task, environment, and user needs.
What does the future hold?
Currently, most exoskeletons rely on sensor feedback to determine their behavior and are entirely mechanical. However, in the future, exoskeletons may be operated withsignals from the user's muscles or brainResearch is exploring this possibility, but it remains a challenge. Using these signals may require an invasive interface in the brain and extensive calibration and adaptation specific to each user.
Energy is another current challenge. Batteries need to be integrated into exoskeletons and regularly recharged. This brings weight and size restrictions that affect practicality. However, the energy density of batteries is constantly improving.
New materials are also expanding the boundaries of what is possible. Exoskeletons made ofsoft fabricormaterials similar to rubbercan be integrated into clothing, footwear, or protective equipment.
Researchon exoskeletons for locomotion in the 1960s and 1970s contributed to the development of the firstbipedal humanoid robotsNow, interest in humanoid robotics is accelerating the development of actuators and batteries. The cycle is complete, and these advances should drive the technologies of future exoskeletons.
Ildar Farkhatdinov does not provide consulting services, works, owns shares or receives funding from any company or organization that could benefit from the publication of this article and has not revealed any relevant links other than his academic position.