Since I saw the first one iron man movie in 2008, I’ve wanted to supercharge my own body, but I never thought the day would come when I finally had the chance.
OK, you’ll have to manage your expectations if you think this device is a full flight suit, but when I put on the Dnsys (pronounced Genesis) X1, I imagine I felt the same buzz that Tony Stark must have felt. when he got his fully functional Mark I Iron Man armor.
When Dnsys told me they were sending me their exoskeleton, I immediately thought that this would not only solve my exercise problems, but also help me overcome the limitations of a knee injury that has plagued me for 10 years. So, it was with great excitement that I received the package and proceeded to unpack it.
It’s a wearable unlike anything I’ve tried before: it’s not the same as the best smartwatches or the best running watches, or other training aids. It’s in the same category as the Humane AI Pin and jetpacks, as “silly futuristic technology we can’t believe is already here.”
Dnsys X1 exoskeleton: at a glance
- What is? An exoskeleton designed to remove or add up to 38kg of resistance to your steps.
- Who is it for? Hi-tech hikers, people in rehabilitation, those interested in non-conventional resistance training.
- How much does it cost? After the Kickstarter ends, it will retail for $1,198 (around £950 in the UK / AU$1,800 in Australia)
Build and design
The futuristic intelligent power exoskeleton immediately appeared. Everything came completely built with a battery installed, so I could start wearing it right away. The combination of metal and fabric backing provided the necessary stiffness and flexibility to make it comfortable to wear, without being too tight.
I proceeded to put on the exoskeleton, with the slight trepidation that it might take over and leave me unable to control my movements. It’s actually not that strong and will work largely by aiding your moves, rather than generating them for you.
The belt attaches with strong velcro patches that hold it firmly around the waist. The two leg plates are attached around the legs with elastic cords. These fit comfortably and were incredibly easy to install. For such a complex piece, I was pleasantly surprised at how easy it was to put on.
One downside was the placement of the power button on the back, which I thought was a very odd decision. I could access it without too much trouble, but not being able to see it felt a little unnatural. Putting this in the front, or even on the side, would have made more sense to me.
Exoskeleton operation
With the belt and plates in place, I proceeded to activate the Assist mode. The instructions are very simple and ideal for an English speaking audience. That said, I found the operation of the device a bit clunky and unpredictable. Entering assist mode required double-clicking the power button, but it only seemed to succeed if I sat absolutely still.
A lot of this may have been user error, but a slightly simpler button layout and layout would have been better in my opinion. Moving the power button to the side and having separate buttons for entering assist mode and training mode would have been simpler for me. These two modes are highlighted with different colored LEDs, but you have to remember which light refers to which mode. After a while I got used to it, but for a beginner I found it hard work.
Assistance mode
Once I finally got into Assist mode, which is said to reduce the load on my legs by up to 38 kilos, I started running. First at home and then outside. I tried moving in straight lines, round corners and even up stairs. It seemed pretty silly to me, but that’s just something you have to get over if you want to enjoy the benefits of something like this. Everyone just stared, and I guess that’s how Robocop felt when he enforced the law.
As these types of assistive devices become more common, there will be a lot less staring, I expect. Understandably, people are just interested and intrigued. They have questions, and you’re the one wearing the device, so it’s your job to answer them. One day the gaze will fade away and exoskeleton wearers will undoubtedly feel much freer. If exoskeleton manufacturers can find a way to more easily hide them under clothing, it could be a good step forward.
Once I got started, I found the support mode to be incredibly helpful. I felt my legs pull up as I took each step, and it was noticeably easier to run. I still had to push myself, but it certainly helped provide that extra 15% you might need to go up a hill, for example. Great for hiking.
Think of it as one of the ultimate e-bikes, with a motor that kicks in when you pedal. It doesn’t do all the work for you, but it certainly helps when you have a hill to climb that’s slightly beyond your physique.
The unit itself is quite noisy, with a robotic sound accompanying each rotation of the exoskeleton. I enjoyed walking around the house chasing my son like an out-of-control robot, and the noise coming from the machine helped sell the experience for both of us.
Resistance mode
In addition to Assist mode, the X1 offers Resistance mode, which is a training alternative that adds resistance instead of removing it. Having both modes is incredibly useful as it provides an extra level of functionality that will appeal to a wider audience. Perhaps those in physical rehabilitation, or simply looking to add futuristic leg muscles instead of going to the gym, will benefit here, but it’s not the main attraction.
There is no control over the amount of resistance, but maybe that will come to X2. The resistor works well, and at no point did I think I would break it.
When will they all wear them?
Not very soon, I imagine. While the Dnsys Kickstarter campaign has been overwhelmingly positive, raising nearly $579,000 at the time of writing, the exoskeleton’s premium price will make people think twice before buying.
As with any new technology, you will certainly get early adopters, and that will help move the industry. Dnsys is doing a great job and I hope they succeed in bringing more exoskeleton products to market.
I will continue to use the X1, hoping that in the long term it will help limit the strain on my knee and therefore extend the length of my runs. I imagine the X2 will have rocket thrusters and be able to fire projectiles – then the neighbors will have something to look at.
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Image Source : www.techradar.com