Exoskeleton glossary

A wearable mechanical system that uses motors, sensors, controls, and a power source to add torque or support motion at one or more joints. Consumer models commonly assist the hips or knees; clinical and industrial devices are separate categories with different evidence and safety requirements.

An exoskeleton that redistributes loads or stores and releases energy through springs, elastic elements, or mechanical structures without a battery-powered motor.

A wearable device that applies torque around the hip joint to assist leg swing, extension, or both. Many current consumer outdoor exoskeletons use this architecture because the drive unit can sit near the waist.

A wearable system that supports flexion or extension at the knee using powered or passive structures positioned along the leg.

The highest short-duration motor output a manufacturer reports, usually in watts. It is not the same as sustained power, assistance felt at the joint, battery consumption, or real-world performance.

Rotational force around a joint, commonly expressed in newton-metres. In an exoskeleton, useful torque depends on the device geometry, attachment points, control timing, and the user’s movement—not only the headline rating.

The mass a user actually wears in an operational configuration, ideally including the battery, straps, soft goods, and all required mechanical parts.

The sensor-and-control process used to infer what movement a wearer is beginning—such as walking, climbing, stopping, or changing pace—so assistance can be applied at the right time.

A regulatory classification tied to an intended medical purpose, jurisdiction, and exact product. A consumer exoskeleton is not a medical device merely because it assists walking, and an overseas approval does not automatically apply in the United States.