American scientists have developed an exoskeleton to improve the walking efficiency of people with disabilities. The new development is described in an article by scientists from Stanford University in the journal Nature.

The new exoskeleton takes over some of the function of the calf muscle, helping the user's foot to push off the ground with each step. Inexpensive sensors are built into the exoskeleton to adapt the level of assistance a person needs. The exoskeleton takes about an hour of walking to get used to the user.

It is capable of providing acceleration equivalent to dropping a backpack weighing 15 kilograms. At the same time, a person's speed increases by 9% and energy consumption decreases by 17%.

Scientists plan to test the exoskeleton on the elderly and people with disabilities, and are also working on versions that improve balance and reduce joint pain. The authors of the development are confident that within the next decade, portable exoskeletons will become a common form of assistive devices for people with limited mobility.