Vodafone, the European telecom company, will be providing connectivity to Ekso Bionics for its Ekso GT, the world’s only FDA-cleared exoskeleton for use by stroke patients and victims of spinal cord injuries.
Communicating over the Vodafone network and utilizing its global Internet of Things (IoT) SIM, medical professionals will gain improved access to patient and diagnostic data, according to the companies.Robotic exoskeletons are ready to wear, battery-powered robots that are strapped over the user’s clothing, enabling individuals to achieve mobility, strength, or endurance not otherwise possible.
The Ekso GT can provide adaptive amounts of power to either side of the patient’s body, helping to improve results. The suit allows physical therapists to mobilize patients earlier, more frequently, and with a greater number of high intensity steps, all of which can aid recovery.
The Ekso GT. (Photos courtesy of Ekso Bionics)
Ekso Bionics reported that the exoskeleton was designed for use exclusively in clinical environments and that, when incorporated into a therapeutic practice, the impact can also result in improved operational efficiencies. By achieveing earlier mobility, patients are less likely to suffer injuries during rehabilitation and physical strain is reduced for therapists.
The company selected Vodafone because it offered a single connectivity platform for reaching all rehabitation facilities to monitor how the exoskeletons are performing and patients are progressing in real time, according to executives.
The Ekso GT currently is available in the United States, Mexico, Canada, South Africa, and in most European countries. It is offered in more than 150 rehabilitation institutions around the world.
Vodafone provides a range of services including voice, messaging, data and fixed communications. The company maintains mobile operations in 26 countries, partners with mobile networks in 57 others, has broadband operations in 17 markets, and services some 462 million mobile customers.
