No longer will Tony Stark be the only one responsible for heavy lifting; the arrival of an AI-powered exoskeleton means a change of plans. Developed by the German startup German Bionic, this exoskeleton can give users superhuman strength. It’s design is more modest than Iron Man’s, but that does not detract from its potential to make physically demanding jobs easier. It can benefit everyone from elderly care professionals to construction workers.
The Cray X and Apogee, are the two models available for customers, with Apogee the newcomer, released in the same year. Worn like a backpack and powered by electric motors, these exoskeletons opt for the active type, providing users with up to 30 kg of extra force on their back and limbs. Of course, getting acquainted with it may feel weird, because of its weight, but once the motors kick in, it’s a completely different feeling.
German Bionic has already raised nearly €45 million in funding, more than any other European exoskeleton company. The possibilities for this technology are being explored, with a trial already in place at a hospital in Berlin. Sara Vaz Contreiraz, a nursing ward supervisor found the Cray X helpful in her work, providing her with necessary support. In the future, this tech could even help the aged or disabled to regain mobility.
Currys invested over £250,000 in a fleet of German Bionic’s Cray X exoskeletons, while the British National Health Service acquired 127 of the unit’s lower back exoskeletons for nurses. The German postal service DPD also uses the Cray X. With the introduction of exoskeletons, businesses can protect their workforce and reduce the risk of injury, all while conserving costs.
The use of exoskeletons is predicted to increase rapidly in the next decade, reaching 93,000 by 2022. Before 2030, the revenue generated from the sales of active exoskeletons is anticipated to hit $5 billion. Although the entry costs may be high, the market is said to be growing annually at a rate of 41.3%.
German Bionic has set their sights on revolutionizing physically demanding jobs, enabling people to focus more on wellbeing with the assurance of powered assistance. This might be the future of human labor and for many, the dream of a superhuman body will soon be coming true.
