Exoskeleton Evolution: New Frontiers in Disability and Mobility Assistance

You've arrived at the intersection of human willpower and biomechanics. After this episode you’ll be wondering, “is the term ‘disability’ about to be dismantled and  and reshaped by pioneers using the power of technology?”  Our guests are Keenon Werling and Russel Martin, two pHd students from the Stanford Biomechatronics lab. The topic. Wearable Robots. Exoskeletons.

Maybe the first image that comes to mind are futuristic versions of these creations. They are all over Hollywood in blockbuster movies like Avatar, Black Panther, Spider man, Iron Man.  But here in the real world, innovations in exoskeletons have the potential to truly change lives. Can they give someone confined to a wheelchair the option of walking down the street? ….or what about an exoskeleton that gives them the freedom to go for a run…garage along the beach.

One thing about Keenon. He can’t go for that run on the beach, give his wife a piggy back, or hike with his dog…   Why? He has an incurable degenerative neuropathy, which has been slowly paralyzing him from the feet up. Life in a wheelchair could be right around the corner for him.  Is restoring mobility for people with disabilities like Keenon’s really possible? Stick around and find out. 

The Lab: https://biomechatronics.stanford.edu/

Keenon Werling: https://keenon.github.io/

Russell Martin https://www.linkedin.com/in/russell-m-martin/

Lab overview video. https://youtu.be/SiHyoOhCnag?si=3L1FYjWpvh0RlDM0