What does 55 years of combined exoskeleton and powered prosthetics just between two peopel sound like!? In Episode 24 of the Exoskeletons and Wearable Robotics podcast, we’re joined by Dr. Michael Goldfarb, a H. Fort Flowers Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Vanderbilt University with additional appointments in electrical engineering, computer science, and physical medicine and rehabilitation, and director of the Center for Intelligent Mechatronics. His 30+ years of work focuses on wearable robotics and assistive technologies, including powered lower-limb prostheses, multigrasp hand prostheses, and the Indego exoskeleton, one of the first commercially available powered exoskeletons designed to help people with spinal cord injury and other mobility impairments stand and walk. In this episode, Dr. Goldfarb talks with us about the evolution of prosthetics, orthotics, and exoskeletons, what it really takes for devices to “help without hindering,” and where he sees the future of wearable robotics heading.

Major Topics:
00:00:00 — Intro & Patreon Shout-Outs
Episode welcome, Who Dr. Michael Goldfarb is, and VIP Patreon acknowledgements.
00:01:09 — Early Robotic Ankles: “Were You Really One of the First?”
Asking Michael to react to the claim that he was among the first to make a successful robotic ankle.
00:02:25 — How Did You Get Into This Field?
“Can you tell us about your work? What got you interested in this field?”
00:04:23 — Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Exoskeletons: Where’s the Line?
Host asks how he sees the boundary between prosthetics, orthotics, medical exoskeletons, and augmentation of able-bodied users.
00:05:24 — Helping Impaired vs Enhancing Healthy Users
Discussion around why the “performance bar” is different for people with disabilities vs healthy users.
00:10:29 — Naming the Field: What Do We Call These Devices?
Conversation about terminology in an emerging technology field (exoskeletons, wearable robots, etc.).
00:20:29 — Where Is the Real Value Add?
Question about when it’s worth adding an exoskeleton vs when existing solutions are already good enough.
00:25:44 — Swing Phase, Stumbling, and Not Getting in the Way
Host asks about risks when swing assistance is high at the wrong time and how to avoid tripping users.
00:28:15 — Do Users Feel the Help? Awareness of Assistance
Story of a user asking “what was that?” and discussion about whether assistance should be noticeable or invisible.
00:30:35 — Why Haven’t Powered Exoskeletons Taken Off Yet?
“We expected to see tons of powered systems by now—what’s holding them back? Marketing, aesthetics, use-case fit?”
00:40:20 — Can Machine Learning Solve Exo–Human Coordination?
Asking about the prospects of using machine learning to coordinate exoskeleton actions with user intent.
00:50:33 — Understanding Human Intent
“How can I do that—how can I understand what the human wants?” in the context of exo control architectures.
00:57:51 — Outro

🔗 Learn more:
Dr. Michael Goldfarb: H. Fort Flowers Professor of Mechanical Engineering
Director, Center for Intelligent Mechatronics - https://www.vanderbilt.edu/vise/visepeople/michael-goldfarb/
Exoskeleton Report: https://exoskeletonreport.com
Wearable Robotics: https://wearablerobotics.com

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☕ Support the Podcast: on Patreton @exoskeletonreport

Special thanks to our Patreon supporters for helping make this episode a reality!

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Episode 23 with Bionice Power: Chapter Markers

00:00 – Welcome & Introductions
Bobby Marinov and Dr. Tom Sugar introduce the episode and guests: Gualtiero, CEO, and Rob Nathan, Director of Operations at Bionic Power.

01:20 – From Military to Medical
How Bionic Power began in 2007 developing energy-harvesting knee exoskeletons for soldiers, and later pivoted to medical rehabilitation for children with cerebral palsy.

04:40 – Understanding Crouch Gait
Rob Nathan explains crouch gait and how the company’s device helps children fully extend their knees and walk with less fatigue.

07:00 – Light, Smart, and Personalized Design
Why low-torque, lightweight actuation combined with custom orthotic integration is key to making the device safe, comfortable, and long-lasting.

12:30 – Life-Changing Results: Catalina’s Story
Real-world success story: a young girl who moved from a wheelchair to walking and dancing thanks to Bionic Power’s Agilik system.

16:30 – Intelligent Control & Safety
Discussion on software-controlled torque and position, preventing hyperextension, and supporting both unilateral and bilateral users.

19:00 – Regenerative & Stair-Climbing Capabilities
New modes allow walking down ramps and stairs, even recharging the battery while descending.

22:00 – Commercialization & Insurance Coverage
How patients access the device through certified orthotists, and details on U.S. insurance reimbursement and distribution partnerships.

29:45 – Impact on Pediatric Mobility
Why early mobility intervention matters: improved endurance, gait mechanics, and potential lifelong benefits for children.

35:00 – Durability & Closing Thoughts
Tested for millions of walking cycles, the system shows military-grade durability. The episode closes with optimism about future clinical studies.

🔗 Learn more:
Bionic Power: https://bionic-power.com
Exoskeleton Report: https://exoskeletonreport.com
Wearable Robotics: https://wearablerobotics.com

💌 Subscribe to the Weekly Newsletter: Stay updated on exoskeleton news, jobs, and research.

☕ Support the Podcast: https://www.patreon.com/ExoskeletonReport

Special thanks to our Patreon supporters for helping make this episode a reality!

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Join Dr. Tom Sugar (Wearable Robotics Association) and Bobby Marinov (Exoskeleton Report) as we recap RehabWeek 2025, a world leading conference for rehabilitation robotics, medical exoskeletons, and neurotechnology which was held in Chicago this May.

In this episode, Tom shares highlights from the exhibition floor, where 6+ societies united to showcase the future of human mobility. Hear firsthand impressions of cutting-edge exoskeletons and rehab technologies from:
• RobotCT — lower-limb and pediatric exoskeletons
• XoMotion — hands-free self-balancing gait systems
• Wandercraft — autonomous walking exoskeletons
• NextStep Robotics — powered ankle assistance for drop foot
• Fourier Rehab — upper- and lower-limb therapy robots and humanoid assistants
• ⚙️ Robotomize — hip, shoulder, and hand rehabilitation devices

Plus, a recap of a powerful moment when content creator Blue Eye Queen stands and walks again for the first time in months using a new hands-free fall-safe mobility device.

RehabWeek 2025 was more than a conference, it was a glimpse into how wearable robotics and rehabilitation technology are reshaping independence, recovery, and mobility.

⸻

🔗 Learn more: https://exoskeletonreport.com
Wearable Robotics: https://wearablerobotics.com
💌 Subscribe to the Weekly Newsletter: Stay updated on exoskeleton news, jobs, and research.
☕ Support the Podcast: https://www.patreon.com/exoskeletonreport

Special thanks to our Patreon supporters for helping make this episode a reality!

Support the show