This Robot Technology Is Helping Children With Cerebral Palsy Walk Upright

Robotic exoskeletons could help people with cerebral palsy maintain the ability to walk -- and offer a replacement for costly and invasive orthopedic procedures. Cerebral palsy is the leading cause of childhood disability in the United States, affecting about 3.3 children per 1,000 births. The neurological disorder is a lifelong affliction that can have a devastating impact on an individual's mobility, even when managed well with current physical and occupational therapies. But a new robotic design could significantly improve mobility outcomes. A recent study in the journal Science Translational Medicine found that wearing a robotic exoskeleton – a leg brace powered by small motors – helped children achieve significant mobility improvement.