exoesqueletos

Exoesqueletos, or exoskeletons, are wearable mechanical systems designed to augment, extend, or restore human movement. A typical device consists of a frame that attaches to the body, joints aligned with the limbs, actuation or passive mechanisms to provide motion or load-bearing support, a power source, and a control system with sensors to coordinate movement. Exoesqueletos can be passive, using springs or leverage to reduce joint loads, or active, employing electric motors, hydraulics, or pneumatics to assist motion. Soft exosuits use flexible materials to deliver assistive forces with a lighter, less rigid structure.

Applications span industry, medicine, and defense. In industry, exosqueletos aid workers in lifting heavy loads and performing repetitive tasks, potentially reducing injuries. In medicine, they support gait rehabilitation after spinal cord injury or stroke and assist mobility for people with paralysis or weakness. In defense and public safety, they are studied for enhanced endurance and load carriage, while research continues in spaceflight and industrial automation.

Design considerations include frame geometry, joints, actuators or compliant elements, power systems, and sensing and control. Common sensors include inertial measurement units, encoders, force sensors, and surface electromyography; control strategies range from impedance control to intent-based or manual overrides, with safety systems such as torque limits and emergency stops.

The history of exosqueletos dates to mid-20th century prototypes such as Hardiman, but commercial and clinical devices emerged in the 2000s and 2010s. Examples include HAL by Cyberdyne, ReWalk, Ekso Bionics, and Sarcos projects. Ongoing work seeks to improve efficiency, reduce weight and cost, and expand practical use.