Launching the Levels of Exoskeleton Assistance—a clear, intuitive framework inspired by autonomous driving levels. This framework helps everyone—users, caregivers, therapists, researchers, and innovators alike—understand and track progress in exoskeleton development and automation
This is amazing. I built one to help my nephew walk, and now selling commercially ( http://trexorobotics.com )
I am fed-up at the lack of options available to individuals. People thought that everyone will get an exoskeleton and be able to walk with it everywhere. But the industry ran into many challenges.
A big one that many dont understand is getting insurance coverage. The way the US healthcare system is designed, it will only cover restoration of mobility, not a restoration of function. So, from their perspective, a wheelchair and some pain meds can do the job easily.
I believe that they key is to start with children, this is where you have families desperate for a solution, higher costs due to them growing and spending their entire life in a wheelchair, and the option to truly have a life changing impact.
But things are changing, people are starting to notice the work that we are doing. We need a lot more people building exoskeletons and similar powered orthotics!!