Spain’s National Research Council (CSIC) – the Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas in Spanish – has presented the first results of an ambitious R&D project aimed at helping children with walking impairments.
The prototype paediatric ‘exoskeletons’ are the result of research by a consortium including the CSIC, Marsi Bionics, and major hospitals in Madrid.
The 32 devices currently available in Spain are being tested on children in public hospitals and in some specialised schools.
But the hope is that they will soon be made available to minors with mobility difficulties and that they can accompany them throughout their development, as the exoskeletons can be adapted from ages 2 to 17.
Children with mobility issues will soon be able to use an exoskeleton at home, school or in public spaces, allowing them to move beyond the confines of a hospital. This development not only aids rehabilitation but also enhances daily activities by providing greater autonomy.
The new personal exoskeleton features four motors that mimic natural muscle function and two operational modes: an intention mode, where the exoskeleton complements the user’s strength to advance walking, and an automatic mode, where movement is constant at a selected speed. It also includes an innovative automatic seat that transforms the device into an integrated resting chair, facilitating continuous use and comfort for the child in daily life.
For the development of this exoskeleton, nearly 30 researchers from the four main hospitals in the Community of Madrid have worked closely with families and Marsi Bionics engineers.
The CSIC has been a fundamental pillar of the project. With a team of 15 researchers from the Centre for Automation and Robotics, it said in a statement that it has contributed its extensive experience in supporting the clinical validation of the device, ‘which will enable its commercialisation in the coming months’, marking ‘a milestone’ in the approach to gain rehabilitation worldwide.
🗣️La investigación y la financiación pública impulsan un revolucionario #exoesqueleto infantil
🧒El #CSIC ha acogido hoy la presentación del proyecto #EXPLORER, que ha desarrollado un exoesqueleto que podrá utilizarse en el domicilio y en exteriores
👉https://t.co/TWn675UkOC pic.twitter.com/fgK9DADPrf
— CSIC (@CSIC) February 18, 2025
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