Exoskeletons are wearable mechanical or robotic systems that augment human strength, endurance, and physical performance. They are deployed across rehabilitation, industrial, recreational, and military domains, supporting manual tasks and improving productivity. Classification can be made by actuation level, technological approach, materials, supported movements, and intended applications. Recent developments have produced a wide range of commercial products and research prototypes demonstrating advanced capabilities, yet significant challenges persist in usability, comfort, safety, acceptance, reliability, and cost. Actively actuated systems require sophisticated hardware–software integration, while ergonomic demands have led to soft exoskeletons employing compliant materials. Future advances are expected from innovations in control algorithms, materials, brain–machine interfaces, compact actuators, and high energy-density fast-charging batteries, combined with user-centred, individualized design. This review presents a comprehensive synthesis of current exoskeleton technologies, including design considerations, mobility mechanisms, power and energy management, actuation technologies, sensing and perception, and integration and control architectures. We analyse emerging trends, outline unresolved technical and ergonomic challenges, and identify promising directions for the next generation of adaptive, high-performance exoskeleton systems.
Kormushev et al. (Sun,) studied this question.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: