# 66. Personalized Exoskeletons & Treating Parkinson's

- Show: [The Next Byte Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast)
- Published: 2022-04-19
- Length: 26m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2022-04-19-66-personalized-exoskeletons-treating-parkinsons
- Listen: https://the-next-byte-wevolver.simplecast.com/episodes/66-personalized-exoskeletons-treating-parkinsons-iUtYDhmc

## Summary

Daniel Scott Mitchell and Farbod Moghaddam discuss two recent advances in exoskeleton technology: the MayoXO sensor array from Harvard, which uses carbon fiber 'slinkies' to quantitatively monitor Parkinson's disease progression, and a personalized exoskeleton system from the University of Michigan that allows users to dynamically tune torque and timing settings for comfort and efficiency. The hosts highlight how MayoXO addresses the lack of quantitative data in drug development by providing durable, scalable strain sensors, while the Michigan system solves adoption issues by letting users self-optimize their device settings via a tablet interface. They conclude that these human-centric approaches—focusing on data fidelity and user experience—are critical for moving exoskeletons from lab prototypes to real-world clinical and industrial applications.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2022-04-19-66-personalized-exoskeletons-treating-parkinsons#t=0) Introduction: Exoskeletons and Sponsor Read
- [4:08](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2022-04-19-66-personalized-exoskeletons-treating-parkinsons#t=248) MayoXO Sensor for Parkinson's: The Materials Problem
- [8:03](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2022-04-19-66-personalized-exoskeletons-treating-parkinsons#t=483) Carbon Fiber Slinkies and Durability Testing
- [11:20](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2022-04-19-66-personalized-exoskeletons-treating-parkinsons#t=680) Impact on Pharmaceutical Industry, Doctors, and Patients
- [13:42](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2022-04-19-66-personalized-exoskeletons-treating-parkinsons#t=822) Commercialization Plans and Drug Development Timeline
- [15:57](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2022-04-19-66-personalized-exoskeletons-treating-parkinsons#t=957) University of Michigan Personalized Exoskeletons
- [19:15](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2022-04-19-66-personalized-exoskeletons-treating-parkinsons#t=1155) Dynamic Feedback Loop and User Configuration
- [22:34](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2022-04-19-66-personalized-exoskeletons-treating-parkinsons#t=1354) Video Game Analogies and Adaptive Technology

## Topics

- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [Sensors & measurement in products](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sensors)
- [Medical & health devices](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/medical-devices)
- [Robotics & autonomy](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/robotics-and-autonomy)
- [Validation & product-market fit](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/validation-and-product-market-fit)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Mouser Electronics (company)
- MayoXO (product)
- Harvard (company)
- University of Michigan (company)
- Wevolver (company)

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- [Episode 67: Wearable soft robots - Kris Dorsey](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2024-01-05-episode-67-wearable-soft-robots-kris-dorsey) (Robot Talk)

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