AI is entering the physical realm in a big way. Case in point: I spent Mother’s Day e-hiking with bionic leg boosters.
I strapped my two-year-old in a hiking carrier, and went for a walk up a winding dirt trail. The robotic hip motors whirred and a mechanical force tugged at my quads.
As the incline got steeper, I opened the companion app on my phone and pressed “Boost.”
My stride quickened. The whirring got louder. As the AI marched me toward the summit, I enjoyed the view. Thirty seconds later, the surge of power was over, and the legs returned to the gentler Eco mode.
These motorized supports were once reserved for military, heavy industry and mobility rehabilitation. Now, they are light and affordable enough for regular folks—regular folks who want to feel superhuman, that is. These hip-based systems start at $900, and I tried the latest, Hypershell’s $1,999 X Ultra S.
Two weeks of testing didn’t transform me into Iron Man. But the rig did make me want to sprint everywhere—and I hate running.
A bionic puppet master
Like its competitors, Hypershell’s exoskeleton consists of a waist band and a pair of hinged thigh braces. Twin hip motors draw up to 1,000 watts to power the carbon-fiber arms that apply force to your leg. Theoretically, at its top supported speed, the X Ultra S could help you run an elite four-minute mile .
Before you read on, watch me using it in this video:
Long nature walks are more my speed, so I took the bionic legs on San Francisco’s hilliest trails. Passersby stared at the unsubtle contraption. If I looked like a dork, at least I could zoom quickly past the judgment.
The first time I wore them, the contraption felt like a puppeteer controlling my legs. The motors can jerk you around, especially if you start, stop or change direction suddenly. Once you get into a constant, repetitive motion, the push-and-pull sensation fades.
I used the mobile app to calibrate the power—25% on Eco mode was just right to start.
AI software the company calls Hyperintuition interprets your movements to deliver the right force. Going uphill, with the torque notched up, I really felt the exoskeleton at work. Climbing up stairs was like walking up an escalator. The e-assistance really shines on sand, where you normally feel your energy sapped away.
But as I crossed a rocky section with some loose boulders, I worried one wrong jerk could send me tumbling, so I dialed down the power. A Hypershell spokesman said that a snug, proper fit and a lower level of assistance can help on unstable terrain.
I was disappointed with my downhill experience. Descents can be exhausting but the AI isn’t smart enough to detect them. You have to dig into the app, and activate Downhill mode yourself.
A couple of power-walking hours later, I removed the legs. My body felt slow and heavy. I was like an astronaut returning to Earth, getting reacquainted with my own muscles.
The cyborg cyclist
On a bike ride, the puppet effect was even more dramatic. At one point I was barely moving my legs myself. On certain climbs, I topped out panting and exhausted, then realized my bike was in its hardest gear.
The Spandex-clad cyclists who tackle San Francisco’s iconic Hawk Hill have a saying: “The climb doesn’t get easier, you just get faster.”
That’s also true of riding with battery-boosted legs. I was out of breath because I was pedaling at my regular cadence, but each stroke had a lot more power.
Hypershell’s companion app, left, lets you set the assistance intensity of the exoskeleton, which can output a max of 1,000 watts of power. POPPY LYNCH FOR WSJ
The device is mostly intuitive but comes with some dangers. After my ride, I unstrapped the unit thinking it was off, but an active arm snapped back with full force. I wasn’t hurt, but it was a stark reminder of the risks of robotics in our everyday lives. Hypershell’s app includes reminders for responsible use, including the proper way to disengage.
Minutes after I returned home, the battery died. I was relieved I wasn’t stranded on a mountain, hauling 5 pounds of dead robot weight. I think in my testing I overtaxed the battery by relying on the Boost too much. The company says you can generally walk 18 miles in the X Ultra S, twice that with the included extra battery pack.
Who needs magic legs?
I’m not sure exoskeletons are ready for prime time, though early-adopter gearhead types with a couple thousand dollars to burn will have fun with them. I do look forward to taking them backcountry skiing come winter. Those long uphill climbs (not to mention keeping up with my much fitter husband) can be grueling. undefined undefined Many of us could explore motorized legs as they become lighter, cheaper and more discreet : especially people who are just getting active, or older folks who want support while hiking. And there’s a case for serious athletes, who could use the Fitness setting to actually add resistance during workouts.
One side effect: My calves were sore for days. The exoskeleton made me feel like I had infinite endurance so I kept going, and my other muscles paid the price. Fortunately, another company makes a bionic system for the lower leg. Maybe I’ll wear them together for my next review—and let the bots do all the work.
Hypershell’s new X Ultra S motorized exoskeleton is aimed at outdoor enthusiasts who want to cover more distance with less effort.
