XoSoft · Project

Soft Wearable Exoskeleton That Helps People With Mobility Problems Walk Again

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Imagine a pair of smart leggings that gently push your legs in the right direction when your muscles can't do it alone. That's what XoSoft built — a soft, lightweight exoskeleton worn like clothing, not a bulky robot suit. It senses how you move, figures out where you need help (ankle, knee, or hip), and gives just enough support to keep you walking. It even sends activity data to your doctor so they can track your progress remotely.

By the numbers

consortium partners

countries in consortium

body joints covered (ankle, knee, hip)

industry partners in consortium

SMEs in consortium

33%

industry ratio in consortium

research groups in consortium

The business problem

What needed solving

Millions of people with partial mobility loss — from aging, stroke, or muscle weakness — are stuck between two bad options: bulky rigid exoskeletons that cost tens of thousands and feel like wearing armor, or simple walking aids that don't actively help muscles work. There's no comfortable, affordable, wearable solution for the mainstream market that adapts to different joints and different levels of impairment.

The solution

What was built

A modular soft lower-limb exoskeleton (class I medical device) covering ankle, knee, and hip joints, using smart textiles with embedded sensors, electro rheological fluid actuators for variable stiffness, and biomimetic control that reads user intention. Includes connected health features for remote clinical monitoring. Demonstrated at international exhibitions and tested in clinical and home settings.

Audience

Who needs this

Orthopedic device manufacturers looking to add soft exoskeleton products to their catalogRehabilitation clinic chains seeking connected monitoring tools for mobility patientsSmart textile companies wanting to enter the medical wearable marketElderly care providers needing lightweight assistive devices for residentsHealth insurance companies evaluating new mobility assistance technologies for coverage

Business applications

Who can put this to work

Orthotics and prosthetics

enterprise

Target: Orthopedic device manufacturers producing braces, supports, and mobility aids

If you are an orthopedic device company looking for the next generation beyond rigid braces — this project developed a soft, modular exoskeleton covering ankle, knee, and hip joints that uses smart textiles and sensors instead of hard shells. It was demonstrated at international exhibitions including the OSSUR stand, one of the world's leading prosthetics companies, signaling real commercial interest. The modular design means you can offer customizable products for different patient needs without redesigning the entire device.

Rehabilitation and elderly care

any

Target: Rehabilitation clinics and elderly care facility operators

If you run rehabilitation centers dealing with patients who have partial mobility loss — this project built a class I medical device that was trialed in both clinical settings and home environments. The connected health feature lets therapists monitor patient activity and progress remotely, reducing in-person visit frequency. The system was designed with primary, secondary, and tertiary end users throughout development, meaning it was shaped by the people who actually use it.

Smart textiles and wearable technology

mid-size

Target: Technical textile manufacturers and wearable tech companies

If you are a textile or wearable tech company looking to enter the medical device market — this project developed advanced sensing textiles using flexible tactile sensors based on polymeric films with carbon nanotubes and nanowires. The soft robotics actuators use electro rheological fluids to create variable stiffness joints embedded in fabric. A consortium of 9 partners across 7 countries validated these materials through lab testing, clinical trials, and home use.

Frequently asked

Quick answers

What would it cost to license or integrate this exoskeleton technology?

The project data does not include specific licensing costs or unit pricing. As a class I medical device developed under an EU research project with 3 industry partners, licensing terms would need to be negotiated directly with the coordinator (Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia) or relevant consortium members. SciTransfer can facilitate this introduction.

Can this scale to mass production for the consumer market?

XoSoft was explicitly designed as the first commercially oriented soft exoskeleton for the mainstream mobility assistance market, not just clinical use. The modular design (ankle, knee, hip components usable individually or combined) supports scalable manufacturing. However, the project ended in 2019 and mass production status is not documented in the available data.

Who owns the intellectual property and how can we access it?

IP from this EU-funded RIA project is typically owned by the consortium partners who generated it. With 9 partners across 7 countries including 3 industry partners and 2 SMEs, IP rights are likely distributed. Contact the coordinator at Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia in Italy to discuss specific IP access and licensing arrangements.

Has this been tested with real patients in real environments?

Yes. The objective states the concept was tested extensively in the lab, subject to trials in clinical settings, and tested in home environments. End-user demonstrations were also conducted at international exhibitions, including at the OSSUR stand (a global leader in orthotics).

What regulatory approvals does this have?

XoSoft was designed as a class I medical device, which is the lowest-risk regulatory category. Class I devices in the EU have a simpler conformity assessment path. Based on available project data, full CE marking status after the project ended is not confirmed.

Can this integrate with existing clinical monitoring systems?

The project built in connected health connectivity and analysis features that enable the wearer and their clinicians or therapists to review activity information. Based on available project data, specific integration protocols with existing hospital IT systems are not detailed, but the connected health architecture was a core design requirement.

Is there ongoing technical support or further development?

The project officially closed in January 2019. The consortium included 5 research groups and 3 companies with EU project experience in exoskeleton and assistive orthotics development. Whether follow-up projects or commercial spin-offs emerged would need to be confirmed with the coordinator.

Consortium

Who built it

The XoSoft consortium brings together 9 partners from 7 countries (Italy, Germany, Spain, Ireland, Iceland, Netherlands, Switzerland), giving it broad European market coverage. With 3 industry partners (including 2 SMEs) and a 33% industry ratio, the project has meaningful commercial grounding — not just academic research. The coordinator, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, is one of Europe's top robotics research institutions. The presence of OSSUR (referenced in demo deliverables) as an exhibition partner signals engagement from a global leader in prosthetics and orthotics with over $600M in annual revenue. The mix of 5 research groups and 3 companies with prior exoskeleton project experience means the technology was developed by teams who understand both the science and the market.

FONDAZIONE ISTITUTO ITALIANO DI TECNOLOGIACoordinator · IT
STICHTING SAXIONparticipant · NL
ROESSINGH RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT BVparticipant · NL
EMBLA MEDICAL HFparticipant · IS
UNIVERSITY OF LIMERICKparticipant · IE
AGENCIA ESTATAL CONSEJO SUPERIOR DE INVESTIGACIONES CIENTIFICASparticipant · ES
ACCELOPMENT SCHWEIZ AGparticipant · CH
ZURCHER HOCHSCHULE FUR ANGEWANDTE WISSENSCHAFTENparticipant · CH

How to reach the team

Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Genoa, Italy — one of Europe's leading robotics research centers. SciTransfer can help identify the right contact person and facilitate an introduction.

Order a report on this consortium See FONDAZIONE ISTITUTO ITALIANO DI TECNOLOGIA profile →

Next steps

Talk to the team behind this work.

Want to explore licensing, partnership, or integration of soft exoskeleton technology into your product line? SciTransfer can connect you directly with the XoSoft research team and help structure the conversation around your specific needs.

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