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Scientists Discover Way to Send Information into Black Holes Without Using Energy

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This Lightweight Robot Helps Stroke Survivors Walk Better

Walking is something many of us do without thinking. We stand up, take a step, and move forward. But for millions of people who have survived a stroke, walking can become one of the hardest daily challenges. Weakness, stiffness, and poor coordination on one side of the body can turn every step into a tiring and painful effort.

Now, researchers have developed a new solution that offers real hope: a lightweight, wearable hip exoskeleton that helps stroke survivors walk with less effort and more confidence. This innovation shows how modern robotics can directly improve quality of life.

Understanding Hemiparesis: A Hidden Disability

One of the leading causes of long-term disability in the United States is hemiparesis. This condition causes muscle weakness, poor motor control, and stiffness on one side of the body. It affects around 80% of stroke survivors, making it extremely common.

For people with hemiparesis, everyday activities such as standing, walking, or climbing stairs become difficult. Over time, reduced mobility can lead to lower independence, social isolation, and a decline in mental health. Simply put, hemiparesis doesn’t just affect the body—it affects the whole life.

Why Walking Takes So Much Energy After a Stroke

Walking may look simple from the outside, but it is actually a complex process that depends on precise timing and balance between many muscles and joints. In a healthy body, both sides work together efficiently.

When one side is weakened, the stronger side has to work harder to compensate. This imbalance creates a chain reaction:

  • Muscles on the healthy side overwork

  • Movements become uneven and unstable

  • More energy is required for each step

Studies show that people with hemiparesis use about 60% more energy to walk compared to individuals with a healthy gait. This leads to:

  • Slower walking speed

  • Faster fatigue

  • Increased pain

  • Higher risk of falls

Over time, many people walk less simply because it is too exhausting.

A New Approach from Engineering and Health Science

To address this challenge, researchers at the University of Utah brought together experts from engineering and health sciences. Their goal was simple but ambitious: reduce the energy needed for stroke survivors to walk.

Instead of focusing on the feet or ankles, the team looked at the hips. This shift in thinking turned out to be critical.

Meet the Portable Hip Exoskeleton

The result of this research is a portable, lightweight hip exoskeleton that weighs just 5.5 pounds. The device is worn around the hips and straps comfortably to the thighs.

Here’s how it works:

  • Small battery-powered motors assist leg movement

  • The device supports both lifting the leg and pushing off the ground

  • Assistance levels are customized for each user

  • An intelligent control system synchronizes with the user’s natural walking pattern in real time

Instead of forcing movement, the exoskeleton works with the user, providing help exactly when it is needed.

Why the Hip Matters More Than the Ankle

Earlier attempts to help stroke survivors walk often focused on the ankle, especially to correct issues like foot drop. While logical, these ankle-based exoskeletons did not significantly reduce the energy cost of walking.

The research team proposed a different idea. When the ankle is weak, the body naturally compensates by using the hip muscles more. This compensation requires a lot of energy.

By assisting the hip directly:

  • The body no longer needs to overcompensate

  • Movements become more balanced

  • Less energy is wasted

Another advantage is design. Hip exoskeletons can be lighter because they are worn close to the body’s center of mass and require less force than ankle devices.

Testing the Device: Real People, Real Results

To test the effectiveness of the exoskeleton, the researchers studied seven individuals with hemiparesis. Participants walked on an instrumented treadmill both with and without the device.

Advanced motion-capture systems tracked their movement, while special equipment measured how much energy their bodies used during walking. This allowed researchers to calculate the metabolic cost of walking, which is a direct measure of effort.

Remarkable Findings

The results were impressive:

  • The exoskeleton reduced the work done by hip muscles by nearly 30%

  • Overall energy use while walking dropped by 18%

  • Participants walked more efficiently and comfortably

For comparison, researchers explained that for a person with a healthy gait, this reduction would feel like taking off a 30-pound backpack. For someone with hemiparesis, the difference is even more meaningful.

These findings were published in the prestigious journal Nature Communications, highlighting their scientific importance.

Life-Changing Impact on Daily Living

Beyond the numbers, the most powerful evidence came from the participants themselves. Stroke survivor Lidia shared that at first, she struggled to move her leg at all. With the device, walking became noticeably easier.

Her husband observed something even more encouraging: as Lidia used the exoskeleton more, her walking also improved even when she wasn’t wearing it. This suggests that the device may help retrain the body and nervous system over time.

Building on a Strong Track Record

The research team is no stranger to innovation. Their lab previously developed the Utah Bionic Leg, which was named one of the top inventions of 2023 by Time magazine. This experience helped them design a device that is not only effective, but also practical and wearable.

While other research groups have tested hip exoskeletons on healthy individuals, this is the first study to clearly demonstrate their effectiveness in people with hemiparesis.

What Comes Next?

The next phase of research focuses on real-world use. Walking on a treadmill in a lab is only the first step. The team is now working to ensure the device is:

  • Safe for home use

  • Effective on uneven ground

  • Helpful during daily activities beyond walking

They are also partnering with experts in prosthetics and orthotics to turn this prototype into a product that can be widely used.

A Future with Fewer Limits

The ultimate goal of this work is not just better technology—it is better lives. By reducing effort, pain, and fatigue, this hip exoskeleton can help stroke survivors move more, stay independent, and regain confidence.

As the lead researcher explained, a stroke should not define how far a person can go or how fully they can live. With innovations like this, that vision is becoming closer to reality.

Reference: Pruyn, K., Murray, R., Gabert, L. et al. Portable hip exoskeleton improves walking economy for stroke survivors. Nat Commun (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-026-69580-0

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