Health security

The Exoskeleton's Hidden Burden

Over the past few years, exoskeletons, which can seem like the realm of science fiction, have become quite real. Several companies and research groups are working on designs for exoskeletons that cater to people who currently use wheelchairs. Last year, the Food and Drug Administration approved a device called ReWalk, the first (and still only) exoskeleton commercially available in the United States. Thus far, 66 people have purchased the ReWalk at $77,000 a pop.