Exoskeleton technologies and prospects – a review
File(s)
Author(s)
Kormushev, Petar
Zou, Yixin
CHEN, Wei
Shen, Robert
Childs, Peter
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
PDF/EPUB
Abstract
Exoskeletons are wearable mechanical or robotic systems that augment human strength, endurance, and physical performance. They are deployed across rehabilitation, industrial, recreational, and military domains, supporting manual tasks and improving productivity. Classification can be made by actuation level, technological approach, materials, supported movements, and intended applications. Recent developments have produced a wide range of commercial products and research prototypes demonstrating advanced capabilities, yet significant challenges persist in usability, comfort, safety, acceptance, reliability, and cost. Actively actuated systems require sophisticated hardware–software integration, while ergonomic demands have led to soft exoskeletons employing compliant materials. Future advances are expected from innovations in control algorithms, materials, brain–machine interfaces, compact actuators, and high energy-density fast-charging batteries, combined with user-centred, individualized design. This review presents a comprehensive synthesis of current exoskeleton technologies, including design considerations, mobility mechanisms, power and energy management, actuation technologies, sensing and perception, and integration and control architectures. We analyse emerging trends, outline unresolved technical and ergonomic challenges, and identify promising directions for the next generation of adaptive, high-performance exoskeleton systems.
Abstract
Exoskeletons are wearable mechanical or robotic systems that augment human strength, endurance, and physical performance. They are deployed across rehabilitation, industrial, recreational, and military domains, supporting manual tasks and improving productivity. Classification can be made by actuation level, technological approach, materials, supported movements, and intended applications. Recent developments have produced a wide range of commercial products and research prototypes demonstrating advanced capabilities, yet significant challenges persist in usability, comfort, safety, acceptance, reliability, and cost. Actively actuated systems require sophisticated hardware–software integration, while ergonomic demands have led to soft exoskeletons employing compliant materials. Future advances are expected from innovations in control algorithms, materials, brain–machine interfaces, compact actuators, and high energy-density fast-charging batteries, combined with user-centred, individualized design. This review presents a comprehensive synthesis of current exoskeleton technologies, including design considerations, mobility mechanisms, power and energy management, actuation technologies, sensing and perception, and integration and control architectures. We analyse emerging trends, outline unresolved technical and ergonomic challenges, and identify promising directions for the next generation of adaptive, high-performance exoskeleton systems.
Date Issued
2026-06-01
Date Acceptance
2026-05-01
Citation
Design for Augmented Humanity, 2026, 1 (2), pp.173-189
ISSN
2977-6481
Publisher
SAGE Publications
Start Page
173
End Page
189
Journal / Book Title
Design for Augmented Humanity
Volume
1
Issue
2
Copyright Statement
© The Author(s) 2026. This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) which permits any use, reproduction and distribution of the work without further permission provided the original work is attributed as specified on the SAGE and Open Access page (https://us.sagepub.com/en-us/nam/open-access-at-sage).
License URL
Identifier
10.1177/29776481261453700
Subjects
exoskeleton
robotics
gait
limb
rehabilitation
endurance
human
productivity
soft
kinematics
assistive
Publication Status
Published
Date Publish Online
2026-06-14