Masdar Smart City and Robotics - GineersNow Engineering Magazine Masdar: The Future of Sustainable City in Abu Dhab | Page 12

WORLD’S FIRST CHILD
EXOSKELETON HELPS
DISABLED KIDS TO WALK
We have already seen many exoskeletons being developed for quite
some time, and most of them have been created especially for
elderly workers and for people achieving extraordinary strength. This
company however, has developed an exoskeleton made especially
for children with disabilities.
The Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) has developed the
world’s first child exoskeleton which is designed to help children with
spinal muscular atrophy. Spinal muscular atrophy is a degenerative
illness which affects one in ten thousand babies in Spain.
This exoskeleton weighs 12 kilos, and is made of aluminium and
titanium. It is designed to help the patients walk—for some, for
the first time. This exoskeleton will also be used in physiotherapy
in hospitals to prevent secondary effects that are associated with
the loss of mobility in this illness. This technology is currently in the
preclinical phase and has been patented and licensed by CSIC and
its technology-based business unit, Marsi Bionics.
12
JULY 2016
Future Cities & Robotics
Photo by: Engadget