HUMEXE · Project

Hands-Free Exoskeleton Giving Paraplegic Users Full Independent Walking Control

healthTestedTRL 6

Imagine a wearable robotic suit that lets someone with paralyzed legs walk again — but instead of a computer deciding every step, the person controls their legs by moving their arms naturally. Most exoskeletons on the market need crutches or a helper standing by, and they only bend at a few joints. This one has 13 moving joints (competitors average just 4), so movements look and feel far more natural. Because the control system is simpler — your arms tell your legs what to do — the whole device is cheaper, lighter, and less likely to malfunction.

By the numbers

Degrees of freedom in the HUMEXE exoskeleton

Maximum degrees of freedom in competing exoskeletons

Average degrees of freedom in competing exoskeletons

Consortium partners (Tecnimusa S.L., sole SME)

The business problem

What needed solving

Millions of people with paraplegia depend on wheelchairs because current exoskeletons are expensive, require crutches or an attendant, and move stiffly with very few joint movements. This keeps patients dependent and limits rehabilitation options. The market needs a genuinely autonomous, affordable exoskeleton that users can operate independently in daily life.

The solution

What was built

Tecnimusa developed a lower-limb exoskeleton with 13 degrees of freedom that is controlled by the user's upper body movements, eliminating the need for crutches or external supervision. The only documented deliverable is the public project website providing information on objectives, approach, and results.

Audience

Who needs this

Medical device distributors looking for next-generation exoskeleton productsSpinal cord injury rehabilitation clinics seeking crutch-free walking solutionsDisability insurance providers wanting to reduce long-term care costsOrthopedic technology companies seeking licensing opportunities in powered mobilityNational health services evaluating cost-effective mobility restoration devices

Business applications

Who can put this to work

Rehabilitation and Assistive Devices

mid-size

Target: Medical device companies manufacturing mobility aids

If you are a rehabilitation device manufacturer struggling to offer patients real independence — this project developed an exoskeleton with 13 degrees of freedom (versus an industry average of 4) controlled entirely by the user's own upper body movements. That means no crutches, no attendant, and simpler electronics that bring production costs down. It opens a product line for outpatient and home-use markets that current exoskeletons cannot reach.

Healthcare and Hospital Systems

any

Target: Rehabilitation clinics and spinal cord injury centers

If you are a rehabilitation clinic investing in walking therapy for spinal cord injury patients — this exoskeleton eliminates the need for a trained operator to supervise every session. With movement driven by the patient's upper limbs rather than pre-programmed trajectories, therapy sessions become more intuitive and require fewer staff. The 13 degrees of freedom enable more natural gait patterns, potentially improving patient outcomes.

Insurance and Workplace Safety

enterprise

Target: Occupational health insurers and workers' compensation providers

If you are an insurer covering long-term disability or workplace injury rehabilitation — this device could reduce the duration and cost of inpatient rehabilitation by enabling earlier independent mobility. Its simpler control system makes it fail-safer than competitors with maximum 10 degrees of freedom, reducing liability risk. Faster return-to-function means lower ongoing claim costs for mobility-impaired policyholders.

Frequently asked

Quick answers

What does this exoskeleton cost compared to existing ones?

The project objective states that simpler computing requirements result in a cheaper device, easing access to the general public. No specific price point is provided in the available data, but the reduced electronics complexity is a concrete cost driver. Based on available project data, the commercial price would need to be confirmed directly with Tecnimusa.

Can this be manufactured at industrial scale?

Tecnimusa is an engineering SME founded in 2011 in Murcia, Spain, specializing in combining different technologies into custom solutions. The project was funded under SME Instrument Phase 2, which targets close-to-market innovation. Scaling production would likely require manufacturing partnerships or licensing, as the consortium is a single SME.

What is the IP situation and can we license this technology?

As a single-partner SME Instrument project, all intellectual property would be held by Tecnimusa S.L. Based on available project data, licensing arrangements or distribution partnerships would need to be negotiated directly with them. The unique upper-limb control mechanism is the core differentiator worth exploring.

Has this been tested with real patients?

The project objective describes the intent to develop all necessary stages to introduce the exoskeleton to market. However, the available deliverable data only lists a public project website. Based on available project data, clinical testing details would need to be confirmed with the coordinator.

What regulatory approvals does it have?

No regulatory approval information is available in the project data. Medical exoskeletons require CE marking in Europe and FDA clearance in the US. The SME Instrument Phase 2 funding typically supports activities toward market introduction, which would include regulatory steps.

How does this integrate with existing rehabilitation programs?

The exoskeleton's upper-limb control system means patients do not need crutches or a supervising operator, which simplifies integration into clinical workflows. With 13 degrees of freedom versus an average of 4 in competitors, it supports more natural movement patterns. Based on available data, specific clinical protocol integration details are not documented.

Consortium

Who built it

This is a single-company project: Tecnimusa S.L., a Spanish engineering SME founded in 2011 in Murcia, funded through the SME Instrument Phase 2. With 1 partner from 1 country and 100% industry composition, all development knowledge and IP sit within one organization. There are no university or research institute partners, which means the technology was developed entirely in-house. For a potential business partner, this simplifies negotiations — there is one decision-maker — but also means due diligence should verify whether Tecnimusa has the clinical validation and manufacturing capacity to deliver at scale, or whether they are seeking partners for exactly those capabilities.

TECNIMUSA S.L.Coordinator · ES

How to reach the team

Tecnimusa S.L. is an engineering SME based in Murcia, Spain. Contact can be established through their company website or the CORDIS project page.

Order a report on this consortium See TECNIMUSA S.L. profile →

Next steps

Talk to the team behind this work.

Want an introduction to the HUMEXE team? SciTransfer can arrange a direct meeting with Tecnimusa to discuss licensing, distribution, or integration partnerships.

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