At ABLE Human Motion, we believe that innovation should never stand still. Every update to the ABLE Exoskeleton is shaped by the real needs of clinicians and patients, ensuring our technology continues to transform rehabilitation in meaningful ways.
We are back from the summer break with exciting news: three brand-new walking modes have been added to the ABLE Exoskeleton. These features expand the possibilities of therapy, designed to make training more engaging and extend the benefits of robotic rehabilitation to a wider patient population.
More than just a software update, this release is proof of our ongoing commitment to co-creation with clinics, continuous improvement, and making advanced rehabilitation accessible.
Introducing the New Features
Active Flex: When Patients Take the Lead
One of the most significant updates is Active Flex, a feature that allows patients with residual motor function to initiate steps themselves.
Here’s how it works:
- The patient voluntarily flexes the hip or knee.
- The exoskeleton detects the intention.
- The device assists in completing the step.
This mode is particularly impactful because it encourages active participation, a key factor in motor learning. Instead of being fully guided by the device, patients are now empowered to trigger their own steps through muscle activation by voluntarily flexing the knee or hip, making rehabilitation more interactive and engaging.
Active Flex opens the door for a wider patient population to benefit from the ABLE Exoskeleton, including individuals with partial motor control who previously could not take full advantage of robotic gait training.
Step Back: Safe and Functional Backwards Steps
For the first time, patients using the ABLE Exoskeleton can take a step backwards in a safe and controlled way. This feature may sound simple, but it unlocks important benefits in clinical practice:
- Manoeuvrability in tight spaces: therapists can now guide patients to move backwards when repositioning toward a chair, bed, or training area.
- Warm-up activity: before engaging in longer walking sessions, a few backward steps can serve as a safe and motivating preparation exercise.
By adding this new dimension of movement, therapists gain greater flexibility in designing sessions, even in small training spaces.
Automatic Mode: Rhythmic and Continuous Gait Training
In many therapy sessions, maintaining rhythm and repetition is crucial for progress. The new Automatic Mode simplifies this by enabling steps to be triggered automatically at a therapist-defined cadence.
With Automatic Mode:
- Therapists can set a personalized speed for each patient.
- The exoskeleton initiates steps passively, without requiring the patient’s active input.
- Walking becomes smoother and more continuous, supporting rhythmic gait training.
This feature helps therapists achieve consistent, high-quality training sessions while reducing the cognitive effort required from patients. The result: more efficient therapy time and greater training intensity.
Co-Creation in Action: Fundación Step by Step
At ABLE, we are proud to say these innovations were not developed in isolation. They were shaped in collaboration with clinicians who use the exoskeleton daily and know exactly what their patients need.
A clear example is the new Active Flex feature, co-created with the team at Fundación Step by Step, one of the first centres to incorporate the ABLE Exoskeleton in Spain.
Therapists there identified a recurring challenge: patients with residual motor function wanted to contribute more actively during sessions.
This insight became the foundation for Active Flex. By listening to the clinic’s real-world experience, our engineering team developed a solution that empowers patients in their therapy.
Watch how this co-creation process:
This collaboration is just one example of how co-creation with clinics and therapists is embedded in ABLE’s DNA. Every new feature reflects the shared expertise of engineers, therapists, and patients working together toward better rehabilitation outcomes.
Continuous Improvement
The launch of Step Back, Active Flex, and Automatic Mode highlights a clear message: the ABLE Exoskeleton is not static. It periodically evolves based on feedback, becoming more versatile and efficient.
With these updates, the device now:
- Expands functional training possibilities with backward steps.
- Includes a wider patient population, thanks to Active Flex.
- Delivers smoother, more efficient therapy sessions with Automatic Mode.
This means that choosing ABLE means joining a continuous journey of innovation where their feedback directly shapes the future of rehabilitation technology.
Experience the New Features Yourself
The ABLE Exoskeleton is transforming neurorehabilitation by making therapy more engaging, versatile, and effective. And the best way to understand its impact is to experience it firsthand.
👉 Book a free demo with our team today and discover how these new features can benefit your patients and enhance your rehabilitation program.
