Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston has enrolled the first patient in a pioneering clinical trial for the Atalante X, a self-balancing robotic exoskeleton from French medical robotics company Wandercraft. This pilot study aims to determine if the hands-free device can safely and effectively help thoracic surgery patients stand and walk in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), potentially revolutionizing early post-surgical mobility.
Imagine waking up from major chest surgery, where the simple act of standing for a minute requires the assistance of two or more healthcare professionals. This is the daunting reality for many thoracic surgery patients, for whom the first days post-operation are critical yet incredibly challenging for movement. However, clinicians know that even brief periods of upright posture can work wonders, improving cardiorespiratory function, stabilizing vital signs, preserving muscle, and boosting psychological well-being. The question has always been: how can we make this difficult mobilization easier, safer, and more consistent?
Enter the Atalante X. This isn’t a science fiction prop; it’s an FDA-cleared and CE-marked robotic exoskeleton with 12 powered joints at the hips, knees, and ankles. Unlike other rehabilitation devices that require patients to use walkers or crutches, the Atalante X is fully self-balancing, allowing for truly hands-free operation. “This trial allows us to explore whether an exoskeleton can help us mobilize patients earlier, safer, and more consistently than is possible today,” said Dr. Raphael Bueno, chief of the Division of Thoracic Surgery at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. He is also the Lawrence Harvey Cohn Professor of Surgery at Harvard Medical School.
READ ALSO: https://modernmechanics24.com/post/robot-surgery-erases-distance-china-study/
The trial, as reported by The Robot Report, is an interventional pilot, meaning patients are actively receiving treatment with the device rather than just being observed. Matthieu Masselin, co-founder and CEO of Wandercraft, explained that eligible ICU patients will use the Atalante X in structured sessions integrated directly into their care. “This pilot study is designed to answer an important, practical question: Can Atalante X, a self-balancing exoskeleton, be used safely and effectively in a thoracic surgical ICU?” Masselin stated.
The study will evaluate the technology across four critical domains: safety, feasibility, usability, and effectiveness. Researchers will track everything from adverse events to the time it takes to put on the exoskeleton, the number of steps taken, and patient satisfaction using standardized scales. The protocol involves at least five adult patients who will participate in two sessions per week until ICU discharge. The goal, according to The Robot Report, is to gather real-world feedback to guide future clinical integration and even reduce the staffing burden associated with mobilizing critically ill patients.
WATCH ALSO: https://modernmechanics24.com/post/us-firm-sea-launcher-underwater-drones/
Why does this matter beyond a single hospital trial? It represents a significant step in translating advanced robotics from the rehabilitation gym directly to the acute care bedside. Wandercraft notes that its Atalante devices are already in over 100 facilities worldwide, with users taking a collective 1 million steps per month. Success in the high-stakes ICU environment could open new avenues for restoring mobility much earlier in a patient’s recovery journey. For a company that has also ventured into humanoid robots for manufacturing, this trial underscores its core mission: using self-balancing robotics to transform human mobility, one step at a time.
