Mobility
Assistance
Powered exoskeletons and intelligent gait systems that enable people with complete paralysis, partial mobility, or gait impairment to stand, walk, and move — under their own intentional control.
Overview
Mobility is fundamental. The inability to walk — whether from spinal cord injury, neurological disease, or musculoskeletal impairment — has cascading effects on physical health, mental wellbeing, and independence. Bionic Foundation's mobility assistance research program exists to address this across the full spectrum of mobility impairment, from complete non-ambulatory conditions to partial gait disorders requiring assistive support.
We develop two primary device categories: exoskeletons, which are worn over the body and actively drive movement for non-ambulatory users; and active orthoses and gait assistance systems, which augment remaining function for people with partial mobility. Both categories share a common design philosophy: the device should respond to the user's intent, learn from their movement patterns, and become more useful over time.
Exoskeleton Systems
BF-EX3 Powered Exoskeleton
The BF-EX3 is a powered lower-body exoskeleton enabling people with complete paraplegia to stand, walk on flat surfaces, and navigate inclines. Pilot program: all 12 participants completed a 10-meter walk test, with 6 having had no independent steps in over four years.
Stair Navigation System
An extension module for the BF-EX3 enabling controlled stair ascent and descent — a critical capability for real-world independence that most exoskeleton systems cannot address.
Intent Detection Platform
The control substrate underlying all Foundation exoskeletons: a real-time intent detection system combining surface EMG, inertial measurement, and machine learning to translate body signals into device commands.
Gait Assistance Systems
Active Ankle-Foot Orthosis
A lightweight powered ankle-foot orthosis for people with foot drop, hemiplegia, and partial lower-extremity paresis — providing active dorsiflexion assistance timed precisely to the gait cycle.
Adaptive Walking Aid
Sensor-equipped walking aids that actively monitor gait stability and provide timely force feedback and balance cues, reducing fall risk for people with balance impairment and gait irregularity.
Post-Stroke Gait Recovery Program
A structured clinical program using powered orthoses to drive high-repetition gait training in subacute and chronic stroke survivors, accelerating and extending neuroplastic recovery of walking function.
Work With Us
We collaborate with rehabilitation hospitals, SCI centers, neurology practices, and clinical researchers. Contact us to discuss trial participation, device access programs, or research collaboration.
Get in Touch →