Exoskeletons and Wearable Robotics

Exoskeleton Report & Wearable Robotics Association
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We have gone through a digital revolution and are now on the verge of a physical revolution. Join Borislav "Bobby" Marinov of the Exoskeleton Report and Prof. Thomas "Tom" Sugar of the Wearable Robotics Association as we explore a world of devices that can help you get things done faster and safer. We will cover occupational/industrial, medical, military, and consumer exoskeletons.For more information, visit:Exoskeleton Report: https://exoskeletonreport.com/Wearable Robotics Association: https://wearablerobotics.com/Support this podcast on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/ExoskeletonReport

  1. 1d ago

    Walking With Springs: 22 years of Wearable Robotics with Dr. Tom Sugar Part 1

    In Episode 33 of the Robotics and Exoskeletons Podcast, Bobby Marinov turns the interview toward longtime co-host and Arizona State University professor Dr. Thomas "Tom" Sugar for the first part of a career-spanning look at how his work evolved from automotive noise and vibration testing at Saturn and product-development work at W. L. Gore & Associates into compliant wearable robots. Tom revisits his earliest parallel pneumatic mechanisms, spring-based actuation and phase-control ideas, and the formative years of ASU’s Human Machine Integration Lab. The conversation follows the Crutch Cast, the RUPERT upper-limb rehabilitation exoskeleton, the SPARKy powered prosthetic ankle, Air Legs, and SpringActive’s Joint Torque Augmentation Robot (JTAR), including its connection to DARPA’s Warrior Web program. Along the way, Tom explains why compliance, user agency, precisely timed assistance, and allowing the robot to “get out of the way” remain central challenges in wearable robotics. This is Part 1 of the story, ending well before the later chapters of his career. Topics: 0:00 Introduction – Who Is Dr. Thomas Sugar? 1:30 From Saturn and GORE-TEX to His First Robots and Patent 13:30 Springs, Compliance, and the Early ASU Lab 26:17 Early Orthoses, the Crutch Cast, and RUPERT 37:05 SPARKy and Powered Prosthetic Ankles 48:26 SpringActive, Air Legs, JTAR, and DARPA Warrior Web Links: Dr. Thomas Sugar at Arizona State University: https://search.asu.edu/profile/227786 Human Machine Integration Lab: https://thomassugar.github.io/hmil/ SpringActive: https://springactive.com/ DARPA Warrior Web: https://www.darpa.mil/research/programs/warrior-web For more on exoskeletons, visit: Exoskeleton Report: https://exoskeletonreport.com Wearable Robotics Association: https://wearablerobotics.com Support the Exoskeleton Report on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ExoskeletonReport Support the show

    Walking With Springs: 22 years of Wearable Robotics with Dr. Tom Sugar Part 1

  2. Aug 31

    Episode 32: Where Are the WearRA Innovation Challenge Winners Now?

    Ten years after the first Wearable Robotics Innovation Challenge, we take a look at what has happened to the competition's winners and runners-up:  In Episode 32 of the Robotics and Exoskeletons Podcast, Professor Thomas Sugar and Bobby Marinov revisit the seven WearRA Innovation Challenges held from 2016 through 2022 and ask what became of the memorable ideas. We trace projects ranging from HART Lab’s human-modeling work and EduExo’s educational kit to the Compact X-scissors shoulder mechanism, JAPET’s Atlas back-support system, soft robotic orthotics, adaptive casts, and a smart insole for diabetic-foot monitoring. Along the way, we share which projects became products or companies, and which continued as influential research. Topics: 0:00 Introduction – Where Are the Winners Now? 2:36 How the WearRA Innovation Challenge Worked 4:39 2016 – HART Lab, Standards, and Early Concepts 9:35 2017 – EduExo’s Path from Prototype to Product 15:01 2018 – Compact X-scissors and Liftya 21:54 2019 – JAPET Atlas and the Biggest Challenge Yet 27:03 2020 – A Virtual Challenge and Soft Robotic Orthotics 29:25 2021 – VR Exoskeletons and Exo360 33:45 2022 – Smart Insoles and Diabetic Foot Monitoring 41:41 The End of the Original Innovation Challenge 48:06 Thanking the People Behind the Challenge 52:35 Outro Links: For more on exoskeletons, visit: Exoskeleton Report: http://exoskeletonreport.com Wearable Robotics Association: https://wearablerobotics.com If you like this work, please support me on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ExoskeletonReport Support the show

    Episode 32: Where Are the WearRA Innovation Challenge Winners Now?

  3. Aug 18

    Episode 31 - From Superpowers to Systems: Exoskeleton Books for Every Level

    In Episode 31 of the Exoskeletons and Wearable Robotics Podcast, Bobby Marinov and Dr. Tom Sugar explore the growing library of books on exoskeletons, wearable robotics, and biomechatronics. From newly updated engineering textbooks and influential classics to accessible STEM books for younger readers and the hands-on EduExo Pro handbook, we discuss what each publication offers, who it is intended for, and how today’s resources can guide learners from their first introduction to wearable technology to advanced research and development. Chapter Markers: 00:00 Welcome: Why an Episode About Exoskeleton Books? + Patreon Supporters and Community Thanks 01:52 Wearable Exoskeleton Systems, 2nd Edition: What Changed? 08:29 The Gold Standard: José Pons’ Wearable Robots 12:45 Wearable Robotics: Systems and Applications 17:16 Biomechatronics and Human–Robot Integration 20:10 Superpower? — Wearable Technology for Young Readers 23:06 Building Homes for All — Exoskeletons and Future Construction 24:20 A Candid Review of Another Exoskeleton Book 25:27 EduExo Pro - Learning Exoskeletons by Building One 27:27 A Reading Path from Middle School to Graduate Research + How Exoskeleton Publishing Has Evolved Links: For more on exoskeletons, visit: Exoskeleton Report: http://exoskeletonreport.com Wearable Robotics Association: https://wearablerobotics.com If you like this work, please support me on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ExoskeletonReport Support the show

    Episode 31 - From Superpowers to Systems: Exoskeleton Books for Every Level

  4. Jul 13

    Episode 30:21 Exoskeleton Producers at CES 2026: What I Saw, Tried, and Learned

    CES 2026 in Las Vegas is the busiest consumer electronics show, and this time, consumer exoskeletons and similar technology had a larger presence than ever. I counted 21 booths with relevant products and did my best to personally try on the devices and talk to as many representatives as possible. In Episode 30 of the Exoskeletons and Wearable Robotics podcast, Dr. Tom Sugar and I discuss what I saw at the trade fair, while he adds information from the producer’s website. Join me at my very first CES as I explore the halls in search of as many exoskeleton products as I can. (This episode was originally published to paid Patreon Supporters. If you want to have early access to this podcast, please sign up for the Exoskeleton Report Patreon Membership. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to CES 2026 Las Vegas & Patreon Supporters 01:30 Hyundai X-ble 03:50 Hypershell 07:05 ULS Robotics 10:17 Xtand 13:58 Kenqing 18:57 WithForce 21:32 YRobot 24:35 Ocalis 26:36 Dephy 30:52 Sumbu 32:26 ATDev & Agade  35:33 Dnsys 39:59 Cosmo Robotics 42:59 Ascentiz 45:43 Seeppo 47:12 SKIP, Heimgear, Darwing 51:58 German Bionic & Outro Companies that we missed? Houston Bionics for one. Do you know of other exoskeleton or exo-adjacent companies that were at CES 2026 and didn't make it in this episode? Support the show

    Episode 30:21 Exoskeleton Producers at CES 2026: What I Saw, Tried, and Learned

  5. Jun 23

    Episode 29: WearRAcon Europe 2025, Big Booths, Big Energy, and ExoPark at A+A

    In this episode, Bobby Marinov from Exoskeleton Report and Dr. Tom Sugar from the Wearable Robotics Association recap their November trip to Germany for WearRAcon Europe 2025, A+A Düsseldorf, ExoPark, and the ExoWorkAthlon. They discuss the scale of the world’s leading safety trade fair, the growing momentum behind occupational exoskeletons, standout presentations from the conference, hands-on demonstrations, emerging evaluation tools, and the energy around the exoskeleton industry as it continues moving toward wider workplace adoption. Topics: 00:00 Introduction and Germany trip overview 01:35 Arrival in Düsseldorf and WearRAcon Europe 2025 setup 02:07 A+A Düsseldorf, ExoPark, and the scale of the event 07:13 WearRAcon Europe 2025 talks, research, and evaluation tools 24:28 ExoWorkathlon and hands-on exoskeleton demonstrations 38:11 A+A trade fair reflections and industry momentum Links: For more on exoskeletons, visit: Exoskeleton Report: http://exoskeletonreport.com Wearable Robotics Association: https://wearablerobotics.com TikTok Videos from A+A 2025: https://www.tiktok.com/@exoskeletonreport A+A Article by Hyundai: https://www.hyundaimotorgroup.com/en/story/CONT0000000000196927 3 Keys to Mainstreaming Exoskeletons in the Next Five Years: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MDoksEYHGbA&t If you like this work, please support me on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ExoskeletonReport Support the show

    Episode 29: WearRAcon Europe 2025, Big Booths, Big Energy, and ExoPark at A+A

  6. May 11

    Episode 28: Not a Sales Pitch An Exoskeleton Engineer Puts Consumer Exos to the Test

    Powered exoskeletons for under $1,000 are finally here - but are they useful technology, expensive toys, clever gimmicks, or something in between? In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Tom Sugar after a day and a half of hands-on testing with several consumer hip exoskeletons, including the Hypershell base model, the Dnsys Pro, and the Hypershell Ultra. Tom is not just a curious first-time user; he is a wearable robotics researcher and engineer who has built multiple powered exoskeletons and prosthetic systems himself. We talk through the full experience: putting the devices on, acclimating over thousands of steps, testing them on ramps, stairs, an incline treadmill, and a bike, and then comparing what we felt against Tom’s own engineering background. My hope is that this episode gives listeners a more realistic sense of what consumer exoskeletons can do right now, what they cannot do yet, and why they may be evolving into “e-bikes for your legs” -  a tool that does not replace exercise, but helps people move farther, climb more, and stay active. Topic Markers: 00:00 Intro and why this test is different 01:59 Fast onboarding and first impressions 04:01 Acclimation and the 7,000-step outdoor walk 06:23 Incline treadmill, heart-rate checks, and cycling tests 10:37 Tom’s engineering perspective on consumer exoskeletons 16:47 Fit, feel, features, limitations, and best use cases 31:12 “E-bikes for your legs,” 2026 predictions, and wrap-up 🔗 Learn more: https://exoskeletonreport.com & 💌 Subscribe to the Weekly Newsletter Wearable Robotics: https://wearablerobotics.com Support the Podcast on Patreon  https://www.patreon.com/c/exoskeletonreport/membership Support the show

    Episode 28: Not a Sales Pitch An Exoskeleton Engineer Puts Consumer Exos to the Test

  7. Apr 1

    Ep 27: Gregory Galarneau of The Exoskeleton Store on Trials, Champions and Exoskeleton Buy-In

    In Episode 27 of the Exoskeletons and Wearable Robotics Podcast, we sit down with Gregory Galarneau of The Exoskeleton Store for a grounded discussion on what occupational exoskeleton adoption actually looks like in the field. Rather than staying at the level of theory, this episode digs into how Gregory entered the space through industrial automation, why he saw exoskeletons as a practical answer for tasks that could not easily be automated, and how The Exoskeleton Store grew into a major North American distributor focused on matching real workplace problems with real wearable solutions. The conversation then moves into the realities of implementation: why exoskeletons often need a “try before you buy” approach, how worker feedback can make or break adoption, and why success depends on much more than just a product spec sheet. Gregory shares lessons from customer trials, the personal nature of body-worn technology, and the differences between top-down deployments and demand driven by real worker need. By the end, the episode becomes something close to a field report on the current occupational exoskeleton market, including where adoption is working, where it stalls, and what trends may shape the next phase of growth. Thank you to all of my Patreon supporters for making this possible. Your support is both financial and moral, and it helps me continue producing podcast episodes, transcripts, and independent coverage of exoskeletons and wearable robotics. I really do appreciate it, and I hope that if you enjoy this content you would consider becoming a Patreon supporter as well: https://www.patreon.com/ExoskeletonReport/membership Main Topics:  00:00 Introduction to Episode 27 and Gregory Galarneau of The Exoskeleton Store  02:23 How Gregory Galarneau got into occupational exoskeletons from industrial automation 04:46The first customer story that changed the mission of The Exoskeleton Store  08:30 Why exoskeletons need to be tried before they are bought  13:05 Why exoskeleton implementation is different from traditional automation  16:37 A successful exoskeleton rollout: trial, buy-in, and safety award  24:54Cautionary tales: why some exoskeleton projects fail  28:32 Hunting elephants vs. helping small businesses adopt exoskeletons  32:54 Culture, Japan and Europe, and why North America may be adopting more slowly  55:39 Where the industrial exoskeleton market is heading in the next 5 to 10 years Support the show

    Ep 27: Gregory Galarneau of The Exoskeleton Store on Trials, Champions and Exoskeleton Buy-In

  8. Mar 9

    Episode 26: Exoskeletons A Decade of Change with Dr. Karl Zelik

    In Episode 26, we’re joined by Dr. Karl Zelik, a biomechanical engineer and Vanderbilt University professor whose work sits right at the intersection of research, real-world deployment, and industry translation. Karl is also Co-Founder and Chief Scientific Officer at HeroWear, an industrial exosuit company, and a board member of the American Bionics Project, giving him a rare “full-stack” view of how wearable robotics has evolved from early lab prototypes to products and programs used in the field. In this conversation, Karl draws on that cross-sector perspective to unpack what’s truly changed in exoskeletons over the last decade: what progress is real, what misconceptions are finally fading, and what still needs to happen next. For more, see: HeroWear: https://herowearexo.com/ Exoskeleton Report: https://exoskeletonreport.com Wearable Robotics: https://wearablerobotics.com If you enjoy my videos, please support me and the Exoskeleton Report on Patreon:  https://www.patreon.com/exoskeletonreport/membership Support the show

    Episode 26: Exoskeletons A Decade of Change with Dr. Karl Zelik
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About

We have gone through a digital revolution and are now on the verge of a physical revolution. Join Borislav "Bobby" Marinov of the Exoskeleton Report and Prof. Thomas "Tom" Sugar of the Wearable Robotics Association as we explore a world of devices that can help you get things done faster and safer. We will cover occupational/industrial, medical, military, and consumer exoskeletons.For more information, visit:Exoskeleton Report: https://exoskeletonreport.com/Wearable Robotics Association: https://wearablerobotics.com/Support this podcast on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/ExoskeletonReport

Information

  • Creator
    Exoskeleton Report & Wearable Robotics Association
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    33
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Exoskeletons and Wearable Robotics
  • Show Website
    Exoskeletons and Wearable Robotics