Why are current exoskeletons e.g. Ekso SuitX, Hilti Roam, etc. so expensive when lots of them are just passive devices?

Exoskeletons are wearable devices designed to assist or enhance human movement. While passive exoskeletons primarily support the body without actively powering movement, their high costs can be attributed to several factors:

  • Complexity of engineering: Designing and manufacturing exoskeletons requires specialized expertise in biomechanics, materials science, and robotics, making them costly to produce.
  • Advanced materials: Exoskeletons are typically constructed from lightweight and durable materials such as carbon fiber and titanium, which are expensive to procure and fabricate.
  • Customization: Each exoskeleton must be custom-fitted to the user's body, requiring extensive measurements and adjustments, which adds to the labor costs.
  • Research and development: The development of new exoskeleton technologies involves significant investments in research and innovation, driving up overall costs.
  • Limited production scale: Exoskeletons are still a relatively niche market, with low production volumes compared to mass-produced products, resulting in higher per-unit costs.
  1. What are the key factors driving the high cost of passive exoskeletons?
  2. How can exoskeleton design and manufacturing be optimized to reduce costs?
  3. What are the potential benefits of exoskeletons in various industries?
  4. How is the exoskeleton market expected to evolve in the future?
  5. What are some ethical considerations associated with exoskeleton use?
  • Ottobock Paexo Exoskeleton
  • Ekso Bionics EksoNR
  • SuitX SuitX Phoenix
  • ReWalk ReStore Exo
  • BionicM ExoPro

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