August 2009

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The actual unit you are looking at is one of several dozen that were originally designed and built by Lucian in the 1980’s as a means of countermeasure against micro-gravity induced musculo-skeletal atrophy for use aboard the (now non-existent) space station “Freedom” or on a manned trip to Mars. (The current space station replaced the “Freedom” design and is designated Space Station “Alpha” – but is also called the International Space Station or ISS).

The Exo-Trainer was designed to support and maintain physical performance in humans and is capable of training the entire body as a means of maintaining fitness, as well as, performing functional physical therapy and rehabilitation. The all-in-one exoskeletal design is based on the human endoskeletal system and is functionally derived from bio-locomotion dynamics. It can be used to maintain physical performance capabilities by utilizing specific force vector alignments of the limbs and the precise application of non-gravitationally-based loads on each of the primary and secondary kinematic joints in any combination.

By adjusting the load application and the motion control of the user’s limbs, the Exo-Trainer can be used to recreate the same force dynamics that the body uses to perform normal type exercises or activities. This versatility allows the unit to be used for flexibility training exercises and protocols as well as (separate) typical strength training exercises, aerobic exercises and even high output endurance training protocols. It was manufactured as a product for a short period of time and briefly appeared in the Sharper Image Catalog* (where it quickly sold to an untold number of professional athletes and Hollywood celebrities) and subsequently became the basis for numerous exoskeletal robot projects worldwide.

* Thanks to Howard for allowing me to use his unit as the basis for a new product design for the open market.