BELK · Project

Wearable Knee Exoskeleton That Speeds Up Rehabilitation Using Smart Muscle Stimulation

healthPilotedTRL 8

Imagine a lightweight robotic brace you wear on your knee that helps you walk again after an injury — but instead of just moving your leg for you, it gives your muscles tiny electrical nudges so they actually work during the process. It's like having a personal physio strapped to your knee that knows exactly when to help and when to let your muscles do the job. The company behind it, GOGOA, built an industrial batch of 25 devices and pushed toward medical certification so hospitals and clinics can actually buy and use them.

By the numbers

2.29

knee injuries per 1,000 population

industrially-produced pre-series devices

TRL6

starting technology readiness level

consortium partner (single SME)

total project deliverables

The business problem

What needed solving

Knee injuries are among the most common joint injuries, affecting an estimated 2.29 per 1,000 people, with most requiring rehabilitation. Current robotic rehabilitation options — passive motion machines, powered leg braces, and full exoskeletons — are either too static, too expensive, or not designed for effective walking recovery. Clinics need a wearable device that actively re-trains muscles during natural movement rather than just moving the joint passively.

The solution

What was built

GOGOA built BELK, a wearable knee exoskeleton that combines robotic-assisted walking with Functional Electrical Stimulation to actively engage muscles during rehabilitation. The project delivered a final industrially-produced prototype (D3.1) and a pre-series of 25 industrially-manufactured devices (D3.2), moving from TRL6 toward commercial deployment with clinical trials and CE certification.

Audience

Who needs this

Private rehabilitation clinics with high knee-injury patient volumesHospital physiotherapy departments seeking advanced robotic rehabilitation toolsSports medicine centers treating athletes with knee injuriesMedical device distributors looking for differentiated rehabilitation productsElderly care facilities managing age-related knee degeneration

Business applications

Who can put this to work

Rehabilitation clinics and hospitals

any

Target: Private rehabilitation centers and hospital physiotherapy departments

If you are a rehabilitation clinic dealing with long patient recovery times and high therapist workload for knee injuries — this project developed a wearable exoskeleton with built-in muscle stimulation that combines assisted walking with active muscle engagement. With an incidence of 2.29 knee injuries per 1,000 population, demand for effective knee rehab is constant. An industrial pre-series of 25 devices was produced, meaning the technology is ready for clinical adoption.

Sports medicine and athletic recovery

mid-size

Target: Sports medicine clinics and professional sports teams

If you are a sports medicine provider dealing with athletes who need fast, high-quality knee recovery after ligament tears or surgeries — this device offers 'assisted-as-needed' control that adapts to the patient's progress rather than forcing passive motion. Unlike static CPM machines that patients use lying down, BELK works during natural walking, which better prepares athletes for return to activity. The technology was developed from TRL6 toward commercial readiness with CE certification as a goal.

Medical device distribution

SME

Target: Medical device distributors and orthopedic equipment suppliers

If you are a medical device distributor looking for differentiated rehabilitation products — BELK combines two proven technologies (robotic assistance and Functional Electrical Stimulation) in a single wearable device, a combination its developer says competitors have not applied to date. The manufacturer GOGOA produced an industrially-manufactured pre-series of 25 units, signaling production readiness. With knee injuries affecting roughly 2.29 per 1,000 people, the addressable market for rehabilitation devices is substantial.

Frequently asked

Quick answers

What does a BELK device cost and what is the pricing model?

Pricing information is not available in the project data. As a specialized medical exoskeleton moving toward CE certification, pricing would likely be set by the manufacturer GOGOA MOBILITY ROBOTS SL. Contact the coordinator for commercial terms.

Can this be produced at industrial scale?

Yes — the project specifically produced an industrially-manufactured pre-series of 25 knee rehabilitation devices (deliverable D3.2). A final industrially-produced prototype (D3.1) was also completed, indicating the manufacturing process has been validated for series production.

What is the IP and licensing situation?

The technology was developed by GOGOA MOBILITY ROBOTS SL, a Spanish SME that is the sole consortium partner. As an SME Instrument Phase 2 project, IP typically remains with the company. Licensing or distribution arrangements would need to be negotiated directly with GOGOA.

Does this device have medical certification?

CE certification was listed as a key project objective. The project ran from December 2018 to March 2021 and is now closed. Based on available project data, clinical trials and CE marking were planned activities, but final certification status should be confirmed with the manufacturer.

How does this compare to existing rehabilitation devices?

According to the project objective, existing robotic solutions — static CPM devices, powered KAFOs, and exoskeletons — are not fully tailored for effective and affordable gait rehabilitation. BELK combines 'assisted-as-needed' control with Functional Electrical Stimulation during natural walking, a combination the developer states competitors have not applied to date.

What patient conditions does this target?

BELK targets the sub-acute phase of knee injuries from multiple causes: sports injuries, traffic accidents, acquired brain damage, arthritis, and age-related degenerative diseases. The project references an incidence of 2.29 knee injuries per 1,000 population requiring rehabilitation.

What is the timeline for availability?

The project closed in March 2021, and a pre-series of 25 devices was industrially produced. The technology should be at or near commercial availability, pending CE certification status. Contact GOGOA directly for current product availability and delivery timelines.

Consortium

Who built it

This is a single-company project by GOGOA MOBILITY ROBOTS SL, a Spanish SME specializing in mobility robotics. The 100% industry and SME composition with no university or research partners signals a commercially-driven effort focused on bringing an existing prototype to market rather than basic research. The SME Instrument Phase 2 funding scheme confirms this — it is specifically designed to help SMEs scale up close-to-market innovations. For a business buyer, this means you are dealing directly with the product developer and manufacturer, which simplifies procurement and support conversations.

GOGOA MOBILITY ROBOTS SLCoordinator · ES

How to reach the team

GOGOA MOBILITY ROBOTS SL is a Spanish robotics SME — look for their commercial contact via belkproject.eu or their company website

Order a report on this consortium See GOGOA MOBILITY ROBOTS SL profile →

Next steps

Talk to the team behind this work.

Want an introduction to GOGOA's team to discuss distribution, clinical partnerships, or device procurement? SciTransfer can arrange a direct meeting.

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