These days, it can often feel like the consumer tech industry has almost plateaued, with most companies using the latest technologies more to replace the human workforce or to turn us into a product than to benefit the general public. Even the most consumer-centric product like a smartphone rarely excites anyone now with a new launch – not to point fingers at any one company here… But a visit to IFA Berlin earlier this month, which brought 100s of companies to the show floor, and you get to see at least some exciting – and potentially life-transforming – products.
For us, at the top of that minuscule list is definitely Hypershell, an industry leader in consumer-grade exoskeleton technology. The company introduced its Hypershell X Ultra, claiming to be the world’s best outdoor exoskeleton to date. And while we started off thinking it’s just another nerd toy, 10 minutes of the futuristic (yet, very much realistic) experience with the X Ultra, and we may have started dreaming of running a marathon and trekking to the K2 basecamp. Or, maybe even the Everest…
Hypershell X Ultra outdoor exoskeleton: technology that moves with you
Founded in 2021, Hypershell has already managed to get quite a devoted fanbase, but its latest iteration – the Hypershell X Ultra – is here to transform our everyday movement. During the testing, it was evident that the Hypershell X Ultra isn’t an exoskeleton only for those trying to explore beyond their limits, but also for the content creator lugging heavy equipment around a show floor, or a researcher managing equipment through challenging glacial terrain, or simply a parent trying to keep up with super excited kiddos during a multi-day Disneyland trip.
Exoskeletons built for consumers, not for medical, industrial, or other such reasons, but purely for the consumer doing their everyday walking, exploring, hiking, trekking, running, etc – why are we millennials and Gen Zs obsessed with marathons, who knows what we are trying to escape, but it works! And these exoskeletons help a regular Joe/Jane go farther, beyond the body’s limits.
For those who, like us, mistakenly believed exoskeletons were only for those heavily into outdoor “stuff” and that we mere mortals didn’t deserve this taste of the future, sorry to disappoint, but we are sold on Hypershell’s tech, and it actually makes us want to become more outdoorsy without making us feel weak or super limited by our bodies.
Hypershell X Ultra features two M-One Ultra Motors, one for each hip, producing 1000W of peak power (1.3 Horsepower on your body), reducing physical exertion by 39%, and lowering heart rate by 40%. Of course, it also comes with 12 intelligent modes with real-time adaptation through AI MotionEngine Ultra. This means that you can choose to either get a boost through these motors, going beyond your limits, or activate Fitness Mode – which feels like walking through quicksand – to try making things more difficult for you. It has also introduced Advanced Knee Protection thanks to Descent Assist, which detects downhill motion and provides assistance in reducing landing impact.
The AI MotionEngine uses a cutting-edge algorithm to adapt to your movement, terrain, and effort in real life, thanks to inputs from over a dozen sensors integrated into the exoskeleton that predict your next step and adjust motor assistance accordingly and seamlessly. With time, it learns your gait pattern for smoother and more intuitive support. Overall, the AI, the motors, and the exoskeleton’s design itself work together to support your particular movement according to your and your body’s needs and goals.
The Hypershell X Ultra is built from aerospace-grade materials molded to create a hollow yet rigid structure with 3500 MPa strength that almost becomes an extension of your body.
The X Ultra 5000 mAh / 72 Wh battery offers up to 30km per charge in Eco Mode, perfect for a full day of hiking, and up to 5.3km per charge in Hyper Mode for intense high-power workout bursts. Functioning in -4°F to 140°F (-20 °C to 60 °C), the Hypershell X Ultra is designed for the extremes, with 90% motor efficiency that reduces energy loss by 50%. Finally, the exoskeleton now supports watchOS, bringing controls to your wrist – not that you’d rely on this since you can perfectly maneuver everything through the exoskeleton itself.
Our initial impression of this AI-powered exoskeleton is definitely of a kid in a candy bar. Having grown up around tech, it’s incredible to see a company dedicated to extending our capabilities beyond our physical limits and making exploration and everyday endurance a solid possibility. It was also fantastic to see the design and engineering team being so involved in the whole process, actively learning from the users and testers and promising to respond through next-gen features and iterations, removing the usual barrier between users and R&D teams.