AI-powered exoskeletons provide mechanical support that enables people with gait and mobility issues to stand and walk again. This robotic technology is transforming the field of rehabilitation by allowing patients and therapists to experiment with a diverse range of treatments and therapies, while improving rehabilitation training sessions. Exoskeletons can also provide customizable assistance and monitoring features, allowing clinicians to easily track functional progress and develop personalized treatment plans that maximize treatment productivity while minimizing training time.
Atalante X is the world’s first self-balancing, hands-free autonomous exoskeleton for rehabilitation support following a stroke or spinal cord injury. Produced by the French robotics company Wandercraft, the exoskeleton includes self-balancing features, multi-directional locomotion for task-oriented treatment and custom adjustable assistance that enables patients to gradually increase their motor function through continuous care. Nearly 100 units of Wandercraft exoskeletons are in use at rehabilitation institutions and clinical research centres in the United States, Europe and Brazil today.
Studies have shown that early mobilization and verticalization through frequent rehabilitation sessions can result in improved functional recovery and decrease the risk of complications relating to loss of mobility. From standing up to relearning how to walk, Atalante X claims to empower patients to regain the ability to walk in the early stages of their care. AI-powered multi-directional walking algorithms allow the exoskeletons to mimic human movement and help patients to relearn their natural walking pattern.
Exoskeleton users can reclaim their independence by engaging in daily activities, such as movement and exercise, to enhance their quality of life. The adoption of this assistive technology demonstrates a growing demand for personalized healthcare solutions that optimize treatment plans according to patients’ specific needs and conditions. As AI-powered exoskeletons become more prevalent in therapeutic treatment, policies that regulate robotics in healthcare ought to impose standards for rigorous testing to ensure the devices are reliable and safe.
This case study is an excerpt from the AI for Good flagship report produced by UNU-CPR, Unlocking AI's Potential to Serve Humanity.
