If you’ve been looking for some tech to empower you on your next hike, run, or climb, you’ve likely already heard of Hypershell.
The company has dedicated years to developing a range of exoskeletons that feature powerful motors that reduce physical exertion for the wearer, with its motto being to help users move farther, stronger, and smarter.
Now, with its Hypershell X Ultra, it has a crown jewel to its lineup, marking the world’s best outdoor exoskeleton. Here’s what’s on offer, and how it can enhance your next excursion.
Hypershell X Ultra reduces exertion — and heart rate
If you’re looking to challenge yourself with a new hiking route, then the Hypershell X Ultra was made for you.
The idea is simple: Reduce the physical effort of the user, thus lowering heart rate and the chances of feeling fatigue. The execution, however, is much more complex.
For one, the Hypershell X Ultra uses a new M-One Ultra motor system with 1000W of peak output. This boosts your movement at a rate of 1.3 Horsepower, reducing exertion while walking by 22%, and cycling by an incredible 39%.
This also sees heart rate, both average and at peak performance, drop considerably by up to 40%.
Much of this movement is enhanced by the MotionEngine Ultra, an AI-based algorithm that pulls data from more than a dozen sensors in the exoskeleton itself to predict your next step and adjust motor assistance accordingly.
Essentially, that means you spend less time optimizing and more time just enjoying more motion with less exertion. It’ll even adjust to your gait pattern over time, making for a personalized boost to your physical output.
That’s particularly useful when it comes to avoiding injury. A new ‘Downhill Buffering’ feature spots trends in your downhill motion and adjusts to offer impact reduction on the descending leg and increased support on the stance leg. It’s the kind of thing that anyone who’s ever jarred their knee will be thankful for.
New mode adjustments for running and cycling help push you at the start of a run or ride, while also helping with acceleration, and there are even modes for snow and sandy terrain.
The Hypershell+ app is now available on Apple Watch, too, meaning you can control settings and adjust modes on your wrist, and the technical enhancements don’t stop there: battery life can run up to 30km on a single charge in Eco Mode, or up to 6km in Hyper Mode for burst speed.
Hypershell X Ultra is also durable, operating between -20°C and 60°C. It’s made of carbon fiber and titanium alloy to withstand tough conditions and weighs as little as 1.8kg (2.2kg with the battery attached).
All in all, it’s the distillation of what Hypershell has been doing over the last few years, all wrapped up in a compact, durable, and very, very capable exoskeleton that will last the test of time.