Powered exoskeleton hiking pants from Arc’teryx and Skip boost leg strength by 40%, reduce perceived weight by 30 lbs
If you watched that scene in The Dark Knight Rises where Bruce Wayne puts on a robotic knee brace to fix his injury and end Batman's retirement, and wondered what that might feel like, then you’re in luck. Skip, a startup born out of a Google X labs project, and outdoor clothing brand Arc’teryx have just revealed the MO/GO – a pair of powered hiking pants based on an exoskeleton structure. The MO/GO (short for mountain goat) won’t help you kick through brick walls, but it does provide assistive energy up to 40% while ascending slopes or climbing stairs.
Skip describes its product as an e-bike for walking, and claims that it can effectively make a wearer feel lighter by up to 30 lbs (13.5 kg), reducing exhaustion, increasing walking range and generally making challenging trails less arduous. The motors also assist by gently locking up when climbing down, taking the impact off one’s knee joints. Further, the robotic trousers will incorporate machine learning to learn the wearer’s gait, making it more responsive and natural-feeling.
The project started out at Google's X labs with the aim of enabling ageing individuals (or those with mobility challenges) to continue enjoying an active lifestyle. The team decided to partner with Arc’teryx to refine the design and integrate it into a practical, wearable product. That strategic partnership also cleverly helps position the product less as a high-tech prosthetic (Skip clarifies that the MO/GO is not a medical device), and more as a means for outdoors enthusiasts to enjoy doing something they love.
At 7 pounds (3.2 kg) for the entire system, the MO/GO is remarkably lightweight. It includes a pair of powered modules that sit outside the pants, containing light yet powerful motors. Each module attaches easily to two adjustable carbon fibre cuffs that are clamped above and below the knee, while staying hidden under the trousers.
The pants themselves are Arc’teryx’s outdoor-oriented Gamma trousers made with performance fabrics and modified for linkage points. Two swappable, rechargeable battery packs (stored in a back pocket) power the system, and provide a 3+ hour battery life when climbing uphill, representing a range of roughly 5-6 miles (8-9.5 km).
Mark Wilson of Fast Company had the opportunity to try out an early production model firsthand, and has remarked that wearing it is more comfortable and less visually awkward than one would imagine. However, the feeling of climbing and walking around, while not unsafe, doesn’t feel entirely natural and definitely takes getting used to. That is something the company says it’s still working on, so the final production model should feel more refined.
There are several other players developing similar products for recreational, professional, military and physical rehab purposes. However, they either feature large, heavy designs, are extremely expensive, or are in a concept stage.
The MO/GO, while still undergoing development, might be the most accessible and wearable exoskeleton device for the average consumer today. It is expected to retail price for $5,000 at launch, but placing a pre-order right now with a $99 deposit will entitle you to a special early-bird price of $4,500. Shipping will start in late 2025. Those who’d like a test-drive first can also book eight-hour trial hikes for $80 at select locations in the Western US and Canada.
