Advanced robotic exoskeleton technology enables wheelchair-bound individuals to experience the independence of walking once more.
Wandercraft's Personal Exoskeleton empowers wheelchair users with mobility and independence, demonstrating the potential of AI technology to revolutionize the lives of millions relying on wheelchairs.
Caroline Laubach, a spinal stroke survivor and full-time wheelchair user, testifies to the life-changing impact of the Wandercraft exoskeleton. As a key collaborator in demonstrating the development of the AI-powered prototype, Laubach experiences a newfound sense of freedom and connection when using the device.
"While using the exoskeleton, I feel free in ways I don't in my daily life," Laubach explains. "It allows me to move with greater mobility, not only facilitating physical movement but also fostering social connections as I engage with others eye-to-eye."
Laubach highlights the exoskeleton's inclusivity, as it can cater to a wide variety of disabilities, making it a promising innovation for the future. By embracing the device, she sees the possibility for disabled individuals to live more independent lives.
Wandercraft's vision is rooted in the mission to help people move through the world with more walking independence and upright mobility.
The groundbreaking technology has already made a difference in over 100 clinics and research centers worldwide. The Atalante X exoskeleton, approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and cleared for use in Europe, enables patients to take over a million steps each month. The device plays a crucial role in facilitating rehabilitation for many, offering hope and independence.
However, Wandercraft aspires to transcend the clinical setting. The newly developed Personal Exoskeleton prototype is designed for everyday use at home, work, and in the community. Leveraging NVIDIA AI, the device adjusts swiftly to each user's movements, ensuring smooth and stable walking on various surfaces, from streets to carpets.
Users can control the exoskeleton with a simple joystick, making it accessible to individuals with a range of abilities. The focus remains on empowering people, enabling them to reclaim their lives and connect with the world.
The advancements in exoskeleton technology stem from Wandercraft's long-term commitment to improving lives. It all started as a personal challenge, when the company's co-founder, Nicolas Simon, sought to aid his brother with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, a genetic condition. Simon, a robotics enthusiast and student, founded Wandercraft in 2012 alongside Matthieu Masselin and Jean-Louis Constanza, who also shared a personal connection to the cause.
The goal of the company has always been to provide advanced mobility solutions for the estimated 80 million people worldwide who rely on wheelchairs. Wandercraft is dedicated to overcoming the challenges associated with wheelchair use, and the exoskeleton is a concrete step toward achieving that goal.
Wandercraft is currently recruiting participants for clinical trials of the Personal Exoskeleton, with the intention of making it available for millions of wheelchair users in the United States. The company is committed to ensuring affordability, with plans for Medicare coverage in the future. If you meet the criteria, or are interested in volunteering as a companion, contact Wandercraft at [email protected].
- Caroline Laubach, a wheelchair user and collaborator on Wandercraft's Personal Exoskeleton project, testifies to how the AI-powered device offers her a newfound freedom and social connection.
- Wandercraft's Personal Exoskeleton, built with NVIDIA AI technology, aims to empower disabled individuals by providing them with mobility and independence for use in everyday life at home, work, and in the community.
- The Wandercraft company, driven by a mission to improve lives and provide advanced mobility solutions for the estimated 80 million wheelchair users worldwide, is currently recruiting participants for clinical trials of the Personal Exoskeleton, with a goal of making it accessible and affordable for millions.
