# 157. Exoskeleton To Help Parkinson’s Patients Walk

- Show: [The Next Byte Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast)
- Published: 2024-01-16
- Length: 21m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2024-01-16-157-exoskeleton-to-help-parkinsons-patients-walk
- Listen: https://the-next-byte-wevolver.simplecast.com/episodes/157-exoskeleton-to-help-parkinsons-patients-walk-bkAjxRZd

## Summary

Daniel and Forbode discuss a collaborative research project between Harvard and Boston University that developed a soft robotic exoskeleton to help Parkinson's patients overcome 'freezing of gait.' The device, which resembles a weightlifting belt, uses cables and sensors to detect gait anomalies and provide a physical 'nudge' to lift the leg, effectively eliminating indoor freezing. The hosts highlight the device's aesthetic design, which avoids the stigma of medical equipment, and its 'bottom-up' biomechanical approach that complements existing pharmacological and surgical treatments.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2024-01-16-157-exoskeleton-to-help-parkinsons-patients-walk#t=0) Introduction: Exoskeletons and Mouser Sponsor
- [3:55](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2024-01-16-157-exoskeleton-to-help-parkinsons-patients-walk#t=235) Harvard and BU Soft Robotic Exoskeleton for Parkinson's
- [6:52](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2024-01-16-157-exoskeleton-to-help-parkinsons-patients-walk#t=412) Limitations of Current Parkinson's Treatments
- [9:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2024-01-16-157-exoskeleton-to-help-parkinsons-patients-walk#t=546) Device Design: Aesthetics and Mechanics
- [12:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2024-01-16-157-exoskeleton-to-help-parkinsons-patients-walk#t=726) How the Device Detects and Corrects Freezing
- [15:34](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2024-01-16-157-exoskeleton-to-help-parkinsons-patients-walk#t=934) Benefits: Exercise, Confidence, and Bottom-Up Approach
- [18:05](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2024-01-16-157-exoskeleton-to-help-parkinsons-patients-walk#t=1085) Patient Involvement and Future Development

## Topics

- [Medical & health devices](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/medical-devices)
- [Industrial & consumer product design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/industrial-design)
- [Prototyping & iteration](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/prototyping)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Mouser Electronics (company)
- Harvard (other)
- Boston University (other)
- levadopa (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Jeremiah Robison from Cionic creates bionic clothing to help patients walk better](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2022-06-10-jeremiah-robison-from-cionic-creates-bionic-clothing-to-help-patients-walk-bette) (The Robot Report Podcast)
- [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)
- [Episode 70: Developing better robotic prostheses - Josh Caputo](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2024-01-26-episode-70-developing-better-robotic-prostheses-josh-caputo) (Robot Talk)
- [Episode 96: Soft robots in medicine and healthcare - Maria Elena Giannaccini](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2024-11-01-episode-96-soft-robots-in-medicine-and-healthcare-maria-elena-giannaccini) (Robot Talk)
- [Episode 90: Robotically Augmented People - Robot Talk Live](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2024-06-21-episode-90-robotically-augmented-people-robot-talk-live) (Robot Talk)

## Citing this page

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