An exoskeleton for humans is an external, wearable device or structure. (“Exo” means outside or external.)
For humans, it is used for support of the body during movement.
It can guide, and even amplify or augment, a human being’s movements.
It can also help in improving posture.
They can also be called “exo” for short.
They are not prostheses, but are more related to orthotics.
Orthotics are usually used to support a single injured or disabled body part, such as an arm, a leg or your back.
But exoskeletons tend to be a little more generalised as they support your whole body.
There are many types of exoskeletons.
They are not bodysuit armours that have lasers built in their arms! (But that day will come, be assured.)
They can be divided into two main categories:
> Active exoskeleton
This uses motors and sensors to support your movement.
They are part mechanical, part electric, and sometimes part pneumatic.
They usually use batteries to power themselves.
They can track your posture, movement and electrical signals from your muscles through sensors.
Inside, there is a computer that processes the received data and predicts what you want to do next.
Then electric motors and pneumatic cylinders quickly activate to push or pull artificial tendons, supporting you with real physical force.
> Passive exoskeleton
This one works without an energy supply.
It relieves your body during sustained activities through mechanical levers and cables.
They also try to relieve your posture or strain so that you don’t get tired so easily when in a certain position for a period of time, e.g. when you are bending, squatting or trying to reach overhead for something.
They also capture and store your body’s energy from your own movements and release it to help with opposite movements.
All this can protect your tissues and ligaments, especially in your back.
Passive exoskeletons tend to be cheaper and lighter than active ones.
As they don’t require batteries or a charging energy port, they can keep on operating as long as you need them.
Many people wear them, and you don’t have to be medically ill to need one.
In the medical sense, anyone who has a physical disability or neuromotor disorder, and needs help moving or staying in a certain posture, can use one.
I have seen my friends with Parkinson’s disease and strokes use them to great success.
I also have friends with knee and hip injuries who use them.
You can also use them if you have a limb amputation or spinal injury.
The disability does not have to be permanent.
If you have an injury and are recovering for a long period of time, these exoskeletons can help you in your rehabilitation.
They are usually partnered with other physiotherapy methods.
There are many types of occupational exoskeletons that can help reduce injury or tiredness in the workplace, or help people work faster and better.
Occupational exoskeletons can be used in workplaces involving logistics, such as with the frequent lifting and carrying of boxes and parcels.
In manufacturing and construction, they can help with shoulder support when you lift things repeatedly over your head.
In farming, they can help people who need to frequently bend over to till or harvest.
You can even use them in gardening!
Of course, you may say that many jobs are done by machines these days, thus removing the need for such exoskeletons to help humans.
But there will still be the need for humans to do many of these things due to the cost of such machines.
There are also exos used in military jobs – not yet in the sense of cyberarmour with inbuilt hand lasers (!), but in jobs that require a lot of carrying of artillery and other heavy equipment.
Of course.
These are called recreational exoskeletons.
You can use an exo for walking, hiking, hill climbing, cycling, running, and skiing.
You can even use them for racquet games like tennis and pickleball.
They will help you do it better with less strain and fatigue.
But you cannot use them competitively!
They are banned in competitions for obvious reasons.
You can also use the exo to make a certain sporting activity more difficult, such as increasing resistance so that you require more strength and effort to do something, thus helping to build your muscles.
If you are ageing and becoming more infirmed, you can also use the exoskeleton to help you do the activities you once were able to do, but find difficult now.
The day will come when you can use exoskeletons for many, many things.
But they should not be used so frequently as to replace your own muscles and joints for doing things, lest your own body falls into disuse and becomes weak.
Dr YLM graduated as a medical doctor, and has been writing for many years on various subjects such as medicine, health, computers and entertainment. For further information, email starhealth@thestar.com.my. The information provided is for educational and communication purposes only, and it should not be construed as personal medical advice. Neither The Star nor the author gives any warranty on accuracy, completeness, functionality, usefulness or other assurances as to such information. The Star and the author disclaim all responsibility for any losses, damage to property or personal injury suffered directly or indirectly from reliance on such information.
