Succeeded walking for the first time a child with intractable disease was born with "Exoskeleton device for children"

Illness has been designatedSpinal muscular atrophyThe Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) announced the world's first exoskeleton device to support children's walking. A movie that a boy who could not walk can actually wear exoskeleton and succeed in walking has been released.

CSIC introduces the world's first child-exoskeleton for spinal muscular atrophy - csic.es

CSIC introduces the world's first child-exoskeleton for spinal muscular atrophy - YouTube


The exoskeleton for infants developed by CSIC looks like this. It was created to support children with spinal muscular atrophy, one in 100,000 in Spain, and it can support autonomous walking by wearing. Aluminum and titanium are used for the material, and the weight is about 12 kg.


Support rods adjustable by the length of the fuselage and legs of the child are extended as struts on the outside of the foot, and five motors are imitated at the joints of each leg to imitate the movement of human muscles . The sensor captures subtle foot movements and is designed to maintain the strength necessary for upright and walking automatically.


The on-board computer of the waist part is adjusting the whole sensor and movement, and it can drive for 5 hours with the built-in battery.


Looking from the front and from the side at the same time like this.


Exoskeleton will be attached to the child.



A boy with anxious expression surrounded by adults.


When I put my legs forward, I can proceed by receiving instructions from the exoskeleton. At first it was an uneasy look ... ...


I succeeded in walking for the first time in birth and a smile was spilled in spite of the boy 's face.


There is no effective treatment for spinal muscular atrophy has been established, one of the symptoms causes progressive muscle weakness. Although it may develop to lung dysfunction from a decrease in muscular strength, using this exoskeleton can avoid sitting down and prevent muscle weakness. The exoskeleton is targeted for 3 to 14 years of age, and it can be used while changing the size according to growth.