{{Short description|Powered exoskeleton}} {{Use mdy dates|date=December 2018}} {{ infobox robot | name = Indego | logo = | logosize = | image = | imsize = | alt = | caption = | manufacturer = [[Vanderbilt University]]<br/>[[Parker Hannifin]] | country = United States | year_of_creation = 2010 (prototype) | type = [[Powered exoskeleton]] | purpose = Medical | derived_from = | replaced_by = | website = }} The '''Vanderbilt exoskeleton''', marketed as '''Indego''',<ref name=Indego>{{cite web|url=http://www.southcoasttoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20130530/LIFE/305300331|title=Wearable robots getting lighter, more portable|work=South Coast Today|date=May 30, 2013|access-date=June 17, 2013|archive-date=October 4, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004213226/http://www.southcoasttoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20130530/LIFE/305300331|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.crainscleveland.com/article/20130121/FREE/130129977|title=Parker Hannifin names its new exoskeleton device Indego|publisher=[[Crain Communications|Crain's Cleveland]]|date=January 21, 2013|access-date=October 1, 2013}}</ref> is a [[powered exoskeleton]] designed by the Center for Intelligent Mechatronics at [[Vanderbilt University]] in the [[U.S. state]] of [[Tennessee]].<ref name="Medgadget">{{cite web | url=http://www.medgadget.com/2012/10/inspired-by-segway-scooter-vanderbilt-exoskeleton-gets-paralyzed-on-their-legs.html | title=Inspired by Segway Scooter, Vanderbilt Exoskeleton Gets Paralyzed on Their Legs | publisher=[[Medgadget]].com | work=Rehab | date=October 30, 2012 | access-date=December 12, 2012 | author=Gene Ostrovsky | quote=Medgadget is an independent journal of the latest medical gadgets, technologies and discoveries written, edited and published by a group of MDs and biomed engineers.}}</ref><ref name=Vanderbilt1>{{cite web|url=http://research.vuse.vanderbilt.edu/cim/research_orthosis.html|title=Powered Exoskeleton|publisher=[[Vanderbilt University]]|access-date=November 29, 2012|archive-date=March 27, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130327025929/http://research.vuse.vanderbilt.edu/cim/research_orthosis.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> It is intended to assist [[paraplegic]]s, [[stroke]] victims and other paralyzed or semi-paralyzed people to walk independently.<ref name=Vanderbilt2>{{cite web|url=http://news.vanderbilt.edu/2012/10/exoskeleton/|title=Advanced exoskeleton promises more independence for people with paraplegia|publisher=Vanderbilt University|date=October 30, 2012|access-date=November 29, 2012|archive-date=November 5, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105061927/http://news.vanderbilt.edu/2012/10/exoskeleton/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Motion and control technologies manufacturer [[Parker Hannifin]] is funding further development, and plans to release the first commercial version of the exoskeleton in 2015.<ref name=Parker>{{cite web|url=http://www.parker.com/portal/site/PARKER/menuitem.31c35c58f54e63cb97b11b10237ad1ca/?vgnextoid=428cfd3fbfaaa310VgnVCM100000200c1dacRCRD&vgnextchannel=9104fbdc71fd7310VgnVCM100000200c1dacRCRD&vgnextfmt=default|title=Parker Signs Licensing Agreement with Vanderbilt for Exoskeleton Technology and Targets Commercial Launch in 2014|publisher=[[Parker Hannifin]]|date=October 30, 2012|access-date=November 29, 2012|archive-date=November 5, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105010737/http://www.parker.com/portal/site/PARKER/menuitem.31c35c58f54e63cb97b11b10237ad1ca/?vgnextoid=428cfd3fbfaaa310VgnVCM100000200c1dacRCRD&vgnextchannel=9104fbdc71fd7310VgnVCM100000200c1dacRCRD&vgnextfmt=default|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=CrainsC>{{cite web|url=http://www.crainscleveland.com/article/20140304/FREE/140309942/parker-hannifin-enters-clinical-trial-agreements-for-its-indego|title=Parker Hannifin enters clinical trial agreements for its Indego exoskeleton|publisher=Crain's Cleveland|date=March 4, 2014|access-date=October 21, 2014}}</ref>
==Rationale== In 2012, there were estimated to be over 270,000 Americans with long-term [[spinal cord]] injuries, of whom around 21 percent suffer from complete paraplegia.<ref name=UAlabama>{{cite web|url=https://www.nscisc.uab.edu/PublicDocuments/fact_figures_docs/Facts%202012%20Feb%20Final.pdf|title=Spinal Cord Injury Facts & Figures (PDF)|publisher=[[University of Alabama]]: National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center|date=February 2012|access-date=December 12, 2012|archive-date=June 28, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180628172158/https://www.nscisc.uab.edu/PublicDocuments/fact_figures_docs/Facts%202012%20Feb%20Final.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> The lifetime cost of care and lost productivity for each paraplegic ranges from US$1.4 million to $2.2 million.<ref name=UAlabama/> However, since the late 2000s, [[robotics]] and battery technology have become sufficiently advanced to make wearable walking assistance devices viable.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sciencerecorder.com/news/nasas-strange-robotic-suit-could-pave-way-to-mars-make-astronauts-safe/|title=NASA's strange robotic suit could pave way to Mars, make astronauts safe|publisher=Science Recorder|date=December 11, 2012|access-date=December 12, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121213150942/http://www.sciencerecorder.com/news/nasas-strange-robotic-suit-could-pave-way-to-mars-make-astronauts-safe/|archive-date=December 13, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.discovery.com/tech/exoskeleton-robots-top-5.html|title=I am Iron Man: Top 5 Exoskeleton Robots|work=Discovery News|publisher=[[Discovery News]]|year=2012|access-date=December 12, 2012|archive-date=November 23, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121123183926/http://news.discovery.com/tech/exoskeleton-robots-top-5.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>
==Design== The Vanderbilt exoskeleton weighs {{convert|27|lb|kg}} and can support users weighing up to {{convert|200|lb|kg}}.<ref name="Medgadget"/><ref name=Vanderbilt1/> It is strapped to the user's legs, and uses an onboard computer to detect the user's movements, which are then supported and amplified by battery-powered motors in the exoskeleton's hip and knee joints.<ref name=Vanderbilt2/> It also uses [[functional electrical stimulation]] to enervate the muscles of paralyzed patients, improving their strength and [[circulatory system|circulation]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gizmag.com/vanderbilt-exoskeleton/24815/|title=Vanderbilt University steps into the exoskeleton market|work=Gizmag|date=October 31, 2012|access-date=December 21, 2012}}</ref> and can be quickly disassembled for removal.<ref name=CoExist>{{cite web|url=http://www.fastcoexist.com/1680940/this-light-affordable-exoskeleton-could-help-the-paralyzed-walk-again#1|title=This Light, Affordable Exoskeleton Could Help The Paralyzed Walk Again|work=Co.Exist |publisher=Fast CoExist|date=November 28, 2012|access-date=November 29, 2012}}</ref> It can be used interchangeably with a [[wheelchair]], and can be donned without assistance, allowing disabled individuals significantly greater independence.<ref name=Vanderbilt2/> It is compact enough for a person to sit in a normal chair without needing to remove the exoskeleton.<ref name=CoExist/>
==Development== Vanderbilt University began testing its exoskeleton with paraplegics and medical experts at a rehabilitation center in [[Atlanta, Georgia]], in 2010.<ref name=CoExist/> In October 2012, Parker Hannifin signed an exclusive licensing agreement with Vanderbilt University for the right to develop and manufacture a commercial version of the exoskeleton, which it plans to release under the name Indego.<ref name=Parker/><ref name=Indego/> Whereas current commercial exoskeletons can cost as much as $140,000, Parker Hannifin hopes to exploit its manufacturing capabilities and the Vanderbilt model's lightweight design to ensure that the Indego is significantly cheaper.<ref name=Vanderbilt2/> In March 2014, Parker Hannifin entered into clinical trial agreements for the exoskeleton with several major medical rehabilitation centres.<ref name=CrainsC/> In December 2014, Parker Hannifin invested in Freedom Innovations, a California-based prosthetic technology company with which it had a pre-existing partnership, to further the development of Indego.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.crainscleveland.com/article/20141204/FREE/141209891/parker-hannifin-strengthens-indego-exoskeleton-development-efforts|title=Parker Hannifin strengthens Indego exoskeleton development efforts with investment in California company|publisher=Crain's Cleveland|date=December 4, 2014|access-date=January 23, 2015}}</ref> Following regulatory approval, Parker Hannifin plans to release Indego in Europe in 2015 and in the United States in 2016.<ref name=CrainsC/>
==See also== {{Portal|Technology}} *[[Ekso Bionics]] *[[Hybrid Assistive Limb]] *[[ReWalk]]
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== *[http://research.vuse.vanderbilt.edu/cim/index.html Center for Intelligent Mechatronics] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220228141819/http://research.vuse.vanderbilt.edu/cim/index.html |date=February 28, 2022 }} *[http://www.parker.com/portal/site/Market-Tech/menuitem.e9f921bc8ae21676de92b210237ad1ca/?vgnextoid=1914d3ae3339a310VgnVCM100000200c1dacRCRD&vgnextfmt=default Indego Exoskeleton] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140329072731/http://www.parker.com/portal/site/Market-Tech/menuitem.e9f921bc8ae21676de92b210237ad1ca/?vgnextoid=1914d3ae3339a310VgnVCM100000200c1dacRCRD&vgnextfmt=default |date=March 29, 2014 }} via Parker Hannifin website *[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jRAEfKb_rWQ 2012 YouTube video of the exoskeleton in action]
[[Category:Assistive technology]] [[Category:Mobility devices]] [[Category:Robotic exoskeletons]] [[Category:Vanderbilt University]] [[Category:American inventions]] [[Category:2012 robots]]