# Affordable Wearable Exoskeletons The Phoenix Exoskeleton Costs About As Much As a Mid-Range Car By Rahul Kalvapalle | Published 2016-02-03 | Tech Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wearable-exoskeleton References: [technologyreview](https://www.technologyreview.com/s/546276/this-40000-robotic-exoskeleton-lets-the-paralyzed-walk/) & [usbionics](http://www.usbionics.com/phoenix) [Wearable exoskeletons](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ecosystem-for-exoskeleton-technology) have shown a lot of promise as a wonderful way to help disabled people regain a good degree of mobility, but these designs have proven to be extremely expensive to the point that it's not really possible to offer them commercially. However, the 27-pound [Phoenix](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/phoenix-robot) exoskeleton is planning to shake all that up. At only $40,000, it is fairly affordable and is available for sale to the public. Based on robotics research from the [University of California](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/jos-milln), Berkeley, the exoskeleton attaches to the wearer's hips and legs. It is modular and easily controllable by the user, while caregivers can tweak the exoskeleton's parameters using a companion Android app. This wearable exoskeleton is particularly promising for use with disabled children whose families cannot afford other alternatives. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.5/10 - Popularity: 61% | Activity: 36% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 70% men, 30% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Gen Alpha, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech) > [Robots](https://www.trendhunter.com/robots) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Affordable Wearable Exoskeletons:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop cost-effective wearable exoskeletons for commercial use in the mobility assistance industry. - **Modular Exoskeleton Designs:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Create modular exoskeleton designs that offer customizable support for different mobility needs in the healthcare industry. - **Wearable Exoskeletons for Disabled Children:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Design affordable wearable exoskeletons specifically catered to helping disabled children with mobility challenges. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Mobility Assistance:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop affordable wearable exoskeletons to revolutionize mobility assistance for disabled individuals. - **Healthcare:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Utilize modular exoskeleton designs to improve rehabilitation and mobility support in the healthcare industry. - **Childcare:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Create affordable wearable exoskeletons specifically designed for disabled children, offering improved mobility and independence. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Assistive Upper-Body Exoskeletons](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/upperbody-exoskeleton.md) - [Consumer-Ready Exoskeletons](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/enhanced-robotics-sportsmate5.md) - [Cutting-Edge Medical Exoskeletons](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/medical-exoskeleton.md) - [Senior-Supporting Exoskeletons](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/seniorsupporting-robotic-exoskeletons.md) - [Portable Trail-Ready Exoskeletons](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hypershell-omega.md) - [All-Terrain AI Exoskeletons](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hypershell.md) - [Modular Customization Exoskeletons](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/modular-exoskeleton.md) - [State-Of-The-Art Exoskeleton Technology](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/exoskeleton-technology.md) - [Self-Installing Exoskeletons](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/selfinstalling-exoskeleton.md)