A self-balancing exoskeleton is being tested in France that enables people with complete lower body paralysis to walk. Many exoskeletons require the wearer to use crutches at the same time, but this one maintains its own balance to help mimic a person鈥檚 natural gait.
The exoskeleton, called Atalante, is made by Paris-based company Wandercraft. It has two movable legs and a back rest, all of which have straps that wrap around the user. To walk, they simply move their hips. This movement is quickly picked up by an array of sensors, which then enact the desired motion by controlling 12 joints across the hip, knee and ankle.
One of the biggest difficulties is making sure the exoskeleton maintains balance even during unexpected events, like missing a step or receiving a push. 鈥淚f we are falling forward we need to put a foot in front of us,鈥� says Matthieu Masselin at Wandercraft.
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To solve this problem, Atalante has algorithms that constantly assess the exoskeleton鈥檚 position and speed, as well as taking into account the individual measurements of the user 鈥� such as weight, height, and the length of various leg segments.
Floriane Vintras, who uses a wheelchair because of a neurological disease, tested Atalante during initial trials in 2017. 鈥淚鈥檓 a semi-paraplegic person and I used to walk with two crutches, but finally I had to choose a wheelchair so my upper limbs didn鈥檛 deteriorate any further and to relieve the pain,鈥� says Vintras.
By wearing the Atalante exoskeleton she was able to walk for several hours without pain. 鈥淪tanding up was a magnificent experience,鈥� she says.
Twelve people with paraplegia from spinal cord injury are involved in clinical trials which are currently running across two rehabilitation centres in France. Each wears the exoskeleton whilst walking, standing, sitting down and performing various balance exercises.
If the trials are successful, Atalante will go on sale to rehabilitation centres across Europe from early 2019.
鈥淭his is the next step in the evolution of exoskeletal devices for paraplegics,鈥� says Sir Saeed Zahedi at Blatchford, a rehabilitation centre in London.
