Wandercraft’s robotic exoskeletons offer new mobility and hope for wheelchair users

AI-powered exoskeletons are becoming a transformative mobility solution for individuals with neuromuscular disorders, spinal cord injuries, and stroke. Wandercraft, founded by Nicolas Simon out of personal motivation to help his wheelchair-using family members affected by Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, is developing sophisticated robotic exoskeletons that enable users to stand and walk independently. The technology represents a potential breakthrough for the estimated 80 million wheelchair users worldwide, offering not only improved mobility but also reduced health risks associated with prolonged sitting.

The personal mission: Wandercraft’s founding stems from Nicolas Simon’s desire to help his family members regain mobility through advanced robotics.

• Two-thirds of Simon’s family members use wheelchairs due to mobility challenges related to Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, an inherited genetic condition.
• Simon founded the company in 2012 with Matthieu Masselin and Jean-Louis Constanza, whose son also has the same condition.

Current market progress: Wandercraft’s first product, Atalante X, is already making an impact in clinical settings worldwide.

• The device received FDA clearance and is being used in over 100 clinical and research settings globally.
• Patients using the system are taking over one million steps per month through rehabilitative therapy.
• Atalante X was approved for use in the European Union in 2019 and in the U.S. in 2022.

The next frontier: The company’s newest innovation, the Personal Exoskeleton, aims to bring the technology into everyday use outside clinical settings.

• Currently in clinical trials in New York and New Jersey, the device is designed for both indoor and outdoor mobility.
• The system incorporates AI that continuously adapts to users’ movements in real time for smooth walking across various surfaces.
• Users control the robotic system through a joystick interface.

Why this matters: Beyond basic mobility, the exoskeleton could address serious health complications associated with wheelchair use.

• Extended periods of sitting can increase risks of cardiovascular, skin, and digestive conditions.
• The technology enables users to stand and walk at a pace suitable for everyday activities like crossing streets.
• Simon emphasizes the importance of the system being “fast enough that it can be used in the real world.”

The technology behind it: Wandercraft is leveraging NVIDIA‘s AI ecosystem to accelerate development and improve performance.

• The company is experimenting with NVIDIA Isaac Sim to accelerate its reinforcement learning pipeline.
• Additional exploration includes the NVIDIA Isaac for Healthcare framework and NVIDIA Jetson Thor, an edge computing solution built on the NVIDIA Blackwell architecture.
• Simon describes their approach as “physical AI” that delivers “a better experience for users so they can move through their daily lives smoothly and efficiently.”

Looking ahead: Wandercraft has ambitious commercialization plans following the completion of clinical trials.

• The company aims to apply for FDA clearance immediately after completing trials, which they hope to finish this year.
• They anticipate Medicare coverage will make the technology accessible to millions of wheelchair users in the U.S.
• The Personal Exoskeleton has already gained visibility through demonstrations at the NVIDIA GTC conference and in the Olympic and Paralympic Torch Relay.