My Husband Bought Robot Legs—Do They Really Work?

As promised, this week’s post is an in-depth review of the Hypershell exoskeleton device Roger recently purchased. Does it really help him walk farther with less pain?

For years, Roger has limited his walking due to lower back pain. He’s always on the hunt for the closest parking spot—right next to handicapped if possible. When consulted, his doctor just pointed out how his weight out front pulls on his spine—a polite way to say, “You need to shed a few.”

Before back pain interfered, Roger and I enjoyed walking and hiking to see waterfalls and stroll through high country meadows. But he was gradually forced to opt out because of the pain. When we set out to travel the country in our fifth wheel, he often waited at camp while I went on short excursions alone.

Enter the Hypershell X Pro Exoskeleton

It looked ridiculous in the online ad we saw, but could the X Pro be transformational for Roger?

Hypershell’s primary focus seems to be on the benefits for athletes, but an excerpt from their website caught my eye: “Hike farther with less fatigue. Hypershell gives you the endurance to climb higher, descend safer, and embrace every trail with confidence.” I want that for Roger!

Once again, YouTube provided the bulk of our research. We watched as young and old people tried out a Hypershell exoskeleton. One man about our age did a two-mile moderate hike up a hill—and he had just had a hip replacement. That’s when we knew this thing had real possibilities.

Walking, Yes, But What About Back Pain?

Okay, so walking is definitely easier for anyone wearing an exoskeleton. But would it keep his back from hurting? Roger recently shed 25 pounds, so if the Hypershell increased his step count without pain, it could help him keep the weight off.

Roger’s exoskeleton arrived mid-October. He chose the X Pro, which boasts 800 watts of power, 2 batteries, and 10 modes, all in a 4.4-lb unit. It’s foldable and easily fits into a backpack. It includes modes like Walking, Speed Walking, Running, Climbing, Up Stairs, Uphill, and more. Just for comparison, the next model up is the X Ultra, which has Dune and Snow modes and longer battery life. If you’re interested, you can find all the specs at hypershell.tech.

Our daughter Melissa was visiting that week, so we waited impatiently for the battery to charge and for Roger to complete the initial fitting. Good thing we were forewarned by YouTube, because the adjustments took 15-20 minutes. But after that it just takes a few moments to put it on or take it off.

As we fiddled with this cutting-edge device, laughter and jokes flowed. It’s really a funny-looking device, kind of like a marriage between a fanny pack and leg splints. Would it force him to move even if he wasn’t ready? Could it give him better mobility?

The Trial and The Reality

When the battery was finally charged (why does it take so long when you’re eagerly waiting?), Roger clipped it on. Fumbling with the mode buttons, at last he took his first tentative steps. Just as the videos showed, at first he wasn’t sure it was actually working. The X Pro’s assistance is nearly unnoticeable at lower mode settings but it does make a definite difference. At higher modes, we giggled uncontrollably at the way it lifted his thighs, like he was doing a military march around the living room.

How and when does he use it? So far, Roger has completed a 2-mile hike that included some moderately strenuous sections (because we accidentally took a wrong turn), a 1.3 mile easy cavern tour, and a day at Dollywood. Imagine my glee when I could say, “Roger, I’m not slowing down for you anymore!” Best of all, he experienced very little back pain.

An exoskeleton isn’t necessarily meant to be worn every day, all day, but when our plans include more than 100 yards of walking, Roger doesn’t need to opt out. If he was so inclined, he could accompany me to the mall to hold my purse while I shop. Fortunately for Roger, I am not so inclined.

Pros, Cons, and Expectations

The pros of the X Pro we’ve found are the extended battery life, ease of putting the exoskeleton on and taking it off, and water resistance. I don’t think the Hypershell website mentions water resistance, but we know because we got caught in a rain shower while hiking.

We’ve found only two cons so far. Roger has to remove the device to sit comfortably in a chair with a back, and he’s still learning how the buttons work to switch modes.

So does the Hypershell X Pro meet our expectations? In a word, yes! Before the exoskeleton, 10 minutes of walking triggered back pain. With it, he no longer avoids walking excursions. In the same way that our e-bikes provide greater freedom, we have every reason to expect that the X Pro will broaden Roger’s scope of exploration. Next March, when we spend a month in England with our daughter’s family, we fully expect he will be able to not only navigate through airports, but enjoy exploring on foot.

Check out the videos of Roger and others trying out his exoskeleton on my Facebook account: https://www.facebook.com/jgreenwalt2/).  We’re not getting paid or sponsored for this review, we’re not doctors giving medical advice, and we definitely encourage you to do your own research if you’re interested in what it can do for you.

Yes, the X Pro looks funny, but as I mentioned in a previous post (https://www.juliergreenwalt.com/post/oh-the-freedom-we-ve-found-on-two-wheels-and-two-feet), we’re having too much fun to stop now. The freedom it provides is priceless. We also know that ultimately, true freedom only comes through a relationship with Jesus Christ.

“And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” John 8:32.

If you or someone you love struggles with mobility, I’d love to hear your experiences with assistive devices. Drop a comment—I’m eager to learn more.