Using its multiple sensors, the Hypershell detects your leg movement and then makes the most of the motor to help lift your legs as you stride, with up to 32 newton-meters of torque. In Eco mode the effect is noticeable but not aggressive, but in the higher-torque settings, your leg will be propelled upwards. It feels odd and unnatural, like you’re a bionic marionette.

Hypershell claims its device offsets 30 kilograms, or 66 pounds of weight. Remember though, it is also having to compensate for its own weight, and while 4.4 pounds isn’t prohibitively heavy, it’s not something you want to add to your pack if the battery dies mid-hike. In all the time testing, and walking, I didn’t once forget I was wearing the Hypershell. The leg straps do get sweaty, and I certainly could feel the unit’s weight. It also makes you walk a little oddly—I guess, robotically. This feels pretty great when locked into a nice pace, but it’s not casual.

Without Hypershell.

Without Hypershell.

Garmin via Chris Haslam

With Hypershell.

With Hypershell.

Garmin via Chris Haslam

The Hypershell definitely helps your legs move. It positively jerks them up as you stride, but what impact does it have on physical effort? To test this, I went for two hilly but not mountainous walks with a heart rate tracker on. First I checked my heart rate (83 bpm) and then hiked without the exoskeleton, and then, once my heart rate had returned to its previous level, hiked up again with the Pro X on the Eco mode, which is the standard level recommended.

Comparing readings from my Garmin Epix Pro, my unassisted walk—1.8 miles in 28.57 minutes—registered an average speed of 6 km/h and an average heart rate of 102 bpm, with a max heart rate of 127 bpm. In contrast, when I repeated the route wearing the exoskeleton it took 28.19 minutes, with an average speed of 6.1 km/h and an average heart rate of 104 bpm, and maximum of 145 bpm. I was expecting the assisted walk to use less energy and therefore not peak my heart rate.

Without Hypershell.

Without Hypershell.

Garmin via Chris Haslam

With Hypershell.

With Hypershell.

Garmin via Chris Haslam

The thing is, I could feel the exoskeleton pulling my legs and propelling me forward. The impact felt considerable, and made the steepest sections feel easier, with less tiredness at the top. Maybe I was walking faster, pushing myself harder with the robot help? Maybe I was nervous, or excited by the new tech, which pushed up my heart rate. Hmmm …

But in truth this wasn’t the first time I’d experienced these results. I did a similar test some weeks earlier, up a short, very steep hill with the Hypershell on full power. I was so surprised by the results—which, again, suggested it was taking me more effort with the exoskeleton than without—that I contacted the brand and they sent me a second unit to try, assuming this was a fault.

I’ve seen reviews online that also compare heart rate data, and they’ve had more positive results, but I can only go on my own data and repeated experience. The Hypershell feels like it’s helping me, and I like the leg boost, but is it really?

The Best of One

Hypershell Pro X Series Review An Exoskeleton You Can Actually Buy

Compared to the DNSYS X1, the Hypershell Pro X is an altogether more polished experience, with none of the glitchy issues I experienced before. It’s also the only design currently for sale, so by that reckoning, it is undeniably the best.


Source: Wired.


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