The Hypershell Halo is a full-leg exoskeleton unveiled at IFA in Berlin, extending further down the leg than previous models to provide support through the knee and calf as well as the thigh and hip. While it is not the company’s first exoskeleton, the Halo represents a step towards broader coverage and, potentially, broader appeal.
The device is built around a single carbon-fibre, load-bearing structure. Hypershell describes its central mechanism as a “fish-spine adaptive joint”, designed to allow flexibility through the hip and into the leg. A four-motor system powers the wearer through a range of movements and is engineered to reduce knee-muscle fatigue by up to 40% across all types of terrain.
Who the Halo is for
The obvious target audience for an exoskeleton includes older adults and people with limited mobility. However, Hypershell appears to be positioning the Halo for wider use, including active individuals who enjoy exploring the outdoors but sometimes reach their physical limits sooner than they would like. Hikers and those with sensitive knees are among the potential users the company has in mind.
Putting the Halo on involves fastening one belt around the waist and feeding two flexible straps around the thighs. Initial fitting takes a few minutes and, for a first-time user, the assistance of two people to adjust the exoskeleton to individual proportions. Once configured, it can be put on and removed quickly. During an on-stage demonstration at the launch event, a presenter fitted the exoskeleton in just 16 seconds.
How it feels to wear
The full kit weighs 2.6kg, with the majority of that weight distributed around the waist. First impressions suggest a slight stiffness, but that sensation disappears once movement begins. Rather than disrupting a natural gait, the device makes movement feel lighter. Squatting and rising from a low seated position without using the hands for support becomes effortless.
The exoskeleton does not perform the act of walking on the wearer’s behalf, but it reduces perceived effort. Moving around a multi-storey booth, the only notable pressure in the legs was felt in the ankle joints. Descending stairs produced none of the usual pressure on the knees, thanks to a cushioning effect. The overall impression is that the wearer could keep going for much longer than usual.
The Halo continues Hypershell’s expansion of its exoskeleton range, with the full-leg model built to support movement through the hip, thigh, knee and calf across varied terrain.
