Robotic exoskeletons for reengaging in everyday activities: promises, pitfalls, and opportunities.

Purpose: Media images and marketing materials suggest a future in which individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) can utilize robotic exoskeletons to reengage in everyday activities, yet these narratives may not align with the current technological realities. The purpose of this paper is to present and describe the current use of robotic exoskeletons in rehabilitation and home settings and discuss the benefits and limitations of the devices.

Materials And Methods: We provide an overview of the features and limitations of the four robotic exoskeleton products (EKSO Bionics, ReWalk, Rex Bionics, and Indego) that are currently being used in in the United States in rehabilitation settings.