MO/GO by Skip and Arc’teryx help hikers trek
Skip and Arc’teryx team up for MO/GO, a pair of powered exoskeleton pants that give hikers a boost when they trek up and down hills and mountains. The pants come from the Canadian apparel company, while the carbon fiber-made wearable technology is the brainchild of the California-based startup. When hikers wear the Arc’teryx pants, Skip’s powered exoskeleton on the sides lights up and boosts their legs by up to 40 percent, making them walk lighter.
This can also make them feel 30 pounds lighter as they move upward. When they go down, MO/GO gently supports the hikers’ knees to prevent them from slipping and exerting too much effort. The wearable technology aims to lessen muscle fatigue and joint discomfort by augmenting their quadricep and hamstrings. The wheel of MO/GO conceals the motors of the powered exoskeleton pants. As hikers move, the wheel spins or turns, depending on the movement, which triggers the boost needed for the trek.
all images courtesy of Skip Innovations
powered exoskeleton pants with wearable technology
In a nutshell, the motors in MO/GO give more power to the hikers’ leg muscles, the quadriceps and hamstrings. For Skip Innovations, their wearable technology may be helpful for people who could use some extra help in those areas of their bodies. This is especially true for those who may find themselves limited by knee pain, muscle weakness, or cardiovascular fatigue but still want to trek or hike. The California-based startup, which was formed after the team worked together at Google X, feels that their powered exoskeleton pants can help people enjoy moving up and down hills, and even stairs, with less effort.
On that note, the technology team states that MO/GO isn’t a medical device. ‘We are not making any medical claims at this time. We are partnering with several leading clinics to develop a related product specifically designed to help people living with neurological conditions, such as Parkinson’s Disease,’ they add. The powered exoskeleton with pants from the Canadian apparel company Arc’teryx is not yet on the market. On the other hand, Skip Innovations offers testing of their medical prototypes to those who live in Northern California and are interested in trying them.
Skip and Arc’teryx team up for MO/GO, a pair of powered exoskeleton pants
rechargeable battery for MO/GO pants
More about its features, MO/GO comes with a rechargeable battery pack that can last for three hours on a single charge during intense uphill walking at maximum assistance. Skip Innovations says it is around six miles for most people. The battery doesn’t use up its energy with smaller inclines and when hikers choose a low amount of power assistance. The wearable technology has a minimalist interface. There are only three buttons on the side of the powered exoskeleton: on/off, more assistance, and less assistance. With less assistance, the battery can last longer.
In case hikers don’t want any assistance at all, they can snap off the powered exoskeleton from the Arc’teryx pants and go on their way as usual. When it comes to the fit, MO/GO has a range of 10 sizes, and the California-based startup is looking more into sizing and potentially expanding the series. Included so far in the pack is a pair of lightweight, breathable summer Arc’teryx pants, but Skip Innovations says they expect to offer more, including ski pants. As of publishing the story, the powered exoskeleton pants MO/GO are available for pre-order, with the expected date of shipment in 2025.
the powered exoskeleton pants that give hikers a boost when they trek up and down hills and mountains
Skip’s powered exoskeleton boosts hikers’ legs by up to 40 percent, making them walk lighter
when they go down, MO/GO gently supports the hikers’ knees