Hello, my name is Rüdiger Rupp. I am a professor at Heidelberg University Hospital and I head the Experimental Neural Rehabilitation section at the Spinal Cord Injury Center at the University of Heidelberg. For the past 26 years, I have been taking care of people with spinal cord injury and their rehabilitation, particularly with motor function rehabilitation.

Neurobiological studies conducted over the last two decades have led us to understand that active training is an essential part of improving motor functions and patients with neurological diseases, especially spinal cord injuries. Robotic systems, particularly robotic exoskeletons, are effective tools in following these principles of motor learning.

However, these devices are often large, limiting their availability to clinics, and they can not be accessible in every hospital that deals with the rehabilitation of people with motor impairments.

Our clinical trial of the Able exoskeleton proved its feasibility and safety with only a few adverse events related to the device. It was easy to apply for our therapists and patients, and it integrates seamlessly and effectively into existing rehabilitation programs.

Of course, with any new device, there are some minor issues, such as ergonomics, software failure, and the like, but they do not affect the overall usability and effectiveness of the equipment.

The Able exoskeleton is unique because it is reduced to the technical minimum, making it cost-effective and durable. This approach will be the way to go instead of higher-cost, more complex systems.

I firmly believe that these devices will make a significant difference in the future of rehabilitation, especially as the population ages, leading to a shortage of personnel able to provide intensive motor learning therapies in a one-to-one relationship. In the not-too-distant future, the only alternative to such therapies will be robotic devices.

Finally, patients are interested in innovative therapies, and they are looking for technology that can improve their mobility drastically. Prostheses have come a long way in recent years, and people are no longer hiding them but flaunting them as part of their character and uniqueness. Similarly, exoskeletons can help to overcome physical disabilities and provide hope for a more inclusive world.

To sum up, the Able exoskeleton is simple to use and innovative. It has the potential to be a game-changer, particularly if the system becomes available for autonomous use by patients in their homes, providing unprecedented mobility to wheelchair users and making a difference in people’s lives.