Powered exoskeletons are increasingly moving out of research labs and into demanding real-world jobs. Members of Seattle Mountain Rescue have been testing hip- and leg-mounted devices during wilderness searches, hoping the extra lower-body strength will help them carry heavy loads and reach stranded people faster. The group is evaluating whether the equipment improves speed and endurance when it matters most.
The technology has already found a foothold in industry. IKEA has used SuitX exoskeletons for several years to assist warehouse workers handling heavy materials, and Ford, Boeing, and Mazda Toyota have adopted similar devices on assembly lines. In Finland, the ExoPELA project studied exoskeletons for rescue and firefighting work and found clear advantages in certain tasks. The Ukrainian military has also used Hypershell exoskeletons on the front lines, where soldiers carrying artillery shells said they became less fatigued and worked faster.
Modern exoskeletons use battery-powered actuators and sensors to apply force in sync with the wearer's movements. They can be programmed for power augmentation, assist-as-needed support, or full robotic control, depending on the task and user. The sector is still modest—estimated at around $500 million—but some projections say it could double or triple by the mid-2030s. Researchers are also exploring control through muscle or brain signals, though that remains difficult, and power supply is still a challenge.