Here is a smart exoskeleton developed by researchers at Scuola Sant’Anna in Italy and EPFL that detects when a user is losing his/her balance to take action. It is lightweight and easily adaptable to each user. Upon detecting loss of balance, the exoskeleton counteracts to help the wearer recover balance.
This exoskeleton was designed to help the elderly avoid fall-related injuries. Here is how it works:
The personalized exoskeleton first detects the particularities of Bertelli’s walk: the patterns of his stride known as the gait. Once this pattern is established, the system’s algorithm is able to detect deviations from his normal gait i.e. the onset of a fall. When this happens, the motors push both of the thighs down, reestablishing Bertelli’s stability at the hip.