Developed by a New Zealand-based technology company Rex the Robotic Exoskeleton could change the lives of millions of disabled people world-wide. Rex is a pair of robotic legs made of strong, lightweight materials that is worn outside the body and enables those with non-functioning legs to stand up and walk with their arms free, move sideways, turn around and go up and down steps. This case study profiles the company that developed this ground-breaking device and examines in detail its development from concept through to the manufacture of the first eleven working prototypes and the plans to launch a commercially available version on the international market.

Discussion starters (Years 11-13)

• Building a working prototype was the developers first priority. Discuss the reasoning behind this and explain the steps involved in the development process

• Discuss the complexity of evaluating the fitness for purpose of an innovative medical product like the exoskeleton .
• Explain the following terminology in relation to the development of the exoskeleton:
• Precision orchestrated actuators
• Integration of sensors and feedback loops

Company website
www.rexbionics.com/

YouTube videos
www.youtube.com/user/
rexbionics#p/u/5/bnX3eSM1KIo

3News video