To raise awareness of their work and the rapidly evolving field of exoskeletons, the group is organising a special initiative. On 8 and 9 May, 24 staff members will run various stages of the Batavierenrace relay, partly equipped with exoskeletons.
With this initiative, the group aims to highlight the rapid development of wearable robotics and their potential role in the future of human movement. The researchers will use three different types of exoskeletons, ranging from research prototypes to commercial systems already available on the market.
‘Making a difference’
According to associate professor Edwin van Asseldonk, who is organising the project together with PhD candidates Lisette Masselink and Marnick Los, the focus is mainly on applications for people with walking impairments.
“We study how exoskeletons can help people walk with less effort or experience greater stability. For some individuals, that can genuinely make the difference between being active or not.”
Exoskeleton for a few thousand euros
The technology is developing rapidly. While medical exoskeletons traditionally cost tens of thousands of euros, lighter and more affordable versions are now emerging on the market, particularly from Asia. These systems, which support movements such as hip motion, are sometimes available for just a few thousand euros. This opens up new opportunities, but also raises questions.
“You could compare it to an e-bike for walking,” says Van Asseldonk. “It enables people to cover distances that would otherwise be too demanding. At the same time, we need to carefully investigate the actual effects. Manufacturers make many claims, but we want to measure objectively what the real benefits are.”
Do the claims hold up?
The University of Twente plays an important role in this. Within the research group, commercial exoskeletons are tested for energy consumption, stability and user experience. Students and researchers analyse whether claims about energy savings are accurate and how these systems influence walking patterns.
This line of work aligns with larger research programmes such as the E-Walk project. Van Asseldonk and UT professor Herman van der Kooij recently received funding from NWO for this. Within E-Walk, researchers are developing smart exoskeleton technology to support movement and stability in everyday life.
Demonstration at the Batavierenrace
Participation in the Batavierenrace is therefore primarily a demonstration of what is already possible. “We’re not going to win the race,” Van Asseldonk says with a smile. “But that’s not the goal. We want to show where this technology is heading, and how it can help people stay mobile in the future.”
Photos: Ramez Iskandar is running across the campus wearing an exoskeleton.
