A new wearable robotic device could make walking easier for people recovering from stroke.
Engineers at the University of Utah have developed a lightweight hip exoskeleton that helps stroke survivors with weakness on one side of the body move more efficiently.
In early testing, the device reduced the energy needed to walk by nearly 20 percent, offering hope for improved mobility and independence.
Many stroke survivors develop a condition called hemiparesis, which causes muscle weakness, poor coordination, and stiffness on one side of the body.
Because walking requires precise coordination between both legs, even small weaknesses can make movement exhausting.
People with hemiparesis often use up to 60 percent more energy walking than those without the condition. This leads to slower speeds, shorter distances, fatigue, pain, and a higher risk of falling.
The new exoskeleton is designed to address this problem by supporting the hips, which play a key role in moving the legs forward.
The device weighs only about 5.5 pounds and is worn around the waist, with straps attached to the thighs.
Battery-powered motors gently assist the user’s leg movements with each step. Sensors and software adjust the level of assistance for each person, providing help exactly when needed to lift the leg or push off the ground.
Earlier designs often focused on supporting the ankle, but researchers found that ankle devices did not significantly reduce the effort required for stroke patients to walk.
Many patients compensate for ankle weakness by using their hips more, which increases energy use. By assisting the hips directly, the new device helps rebalance the walking motion and reduces strain.
In the study, seven stroke survivors with hemiparesis walked on a treadmill both with and without the exoskeleton.
Researchers used motion-capture technology and metabolic measurements to compare how much energy participants used. The results showed that the device reduced the workload on the hip muscles by nearly 30 percent and lowered the overall energy cost of walking by about 18 percent.
For someone with a healthy walking pattern, this improvement would feel similar to removing a heavy backpack. For stroke survivors, it could mean the difference between struggling to move and walking more comfortably.
Participants also reported noticeable improvements. One survivor said that at first she could barely move her leg, but with the device, walking became much easier. Her husband observed that the more she used the exoskeleton, the better she could move even without it, suggesting the device may also support rehabilitation.
The research team hopes to refine the exoskeleton so it can be used safely at home and during daily activities, not just in clinical settings. They are working with prosthetics and orthotics experts to turn the technology into a widely available product.
Researchers say their ultimate goal is to help stroke survivors regain freedom and confidence. With continued development, wearable robotics like this could allow people to walk farther, move more safely, and live more independently after stroke.
