A Skolkovo resident tech company is to exhibit its latest prototype exoskeleton, a contraption designed to enhance the physical abilities of the human body, at the Russian State University Science Festival this week.
The startup, ExoAtlet, is to put on display a model it has nicknamed Albert, which is significantly lighter and less than half the cost of its 1.5 million ruble predecessor Eduardo due to new innovative materials.
Albert is designed to help people with reduced mobility to walk, and the company is working on ways of reducing its price tag even further.
A patient testing the latest exoskeleton from ExoAtlet. Photo: ExoAtlet
“At this stage the most important thing is to show that the idea can become a reality, to convince potential investors, customers and, first of all the users that the exoskeleton they have developed is absolutely necessary,” said Albert Efimov, a renowned robotics expert and director of Skolkovo’s IT cluster.
“In Russia there are around 200,000 people whom ExoAtlet could help to walk again. Would anyone really refuse? Skolkovo’s task is to help the team turn lab results into a commercial, clinically trialed product,” he added.
Albert improves upon Eduardo in a number of other ways: Reduced engine noise, improved visual design due to a new carbon body, extended battery life due to reduced weight of the exoskeleton, and new safety features, among other things.
“These changes are yet another step toward presenting the first preproduction sample – named EkoAtlet I - in March,” said Ekaterina Bereziy, the company’s CEO. “It will be lighter still, about 15kg,” she added.
Meanwhile, a group of volunteers is putting Albert through his paces. Five paraplegic patients work with the company on a daily basis. Three of the patients have already taken their first steps.
“It’s a good feeling,” said a patient named Yaroslav. He warned it would take time to get accustomed to the exoskeleton. “I never hoped to run home straight away,” he joked. “You always need to prepare. That’s why I was ready to at least learn to stand up first. Everything else is a matter of technical and practical experience,” he added.
“But I’ve taken my first steps, and already I don’t want to go back!” Yaroslav said.
ExoAtlet, formed from a group of Moscow State University students, won Skolkovo resident status after winning first place at the Startup Village in June, collecting a 900,000 ruble ($25,000) grant after holding off competition from at least 750 other startups.
ExoAtlet aims to manufacture exoskeletons – external frames that support body movements – for military and medical purposes.
ExoAtlet is the first company in Russia to deal with exoskeletons and is in the process of patent application for its technology.
Its medical-use model is to support movement for people with restricted limb function and rehabilitation for lower-limb trauma victims. It is designed to help overcome paralyses caused by cerebral apoplexy or spinal cord injury. It could also benefit sufferers of cerebral palsy and similar diseases.
The military version, ExoAtlet-P, is designed for search-and-rescue missions, boosting the strength and endurance of the wearer as well as supporting greater speed of movement while carrying loads in excess of 70kg.