Wandercraft and Brigham and Women’s Test Robotics on Critical Patients

Wandercraft has enrolled the first patient in a clinical trial at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, a Harvard Medical School teaching hospital, to evaluate the use of its Atalante X self-balancing exoskeleton in the intensive care unit. The study will assess whether fragile thoracic surgery patients can be safely mobilized days earlier than current standards, with the goal of improving cardiorespiratory stability, accelerating recovery, and supporting mental well-being during a highly vulnerable phase of care.

Thoracic surgery patients often experience severely compromised lung and heart function, making early standing and walking extremely difficult without extensive assistance. Clinicians believe earlier mobilization could interrupt the cascade of complications associated with prolonged immobility, including digestive issues, anxiety, and depression. The prospective interventional pilot trial will measure not only feasibility and safety, but also impacts on vital signs and psychological outcomes. Brigham and Women’s Hospital leaders say the study offers a chance to test whether robotic assistance can make early mobilization safer, more consistent, and more achievable in the ICU.

A key differentiator of the Atalante X is its hands-free, self-balancing design. Unlike traditional exoskeletons that require crutches or walkers, Atalante X automatically maintains balance and supports the patient’s weight using 12 powered joints that replicate natural gait patterns. This makes it suitable for post-surgical ICU patients who lack the upper-body strength to stabilize themselves and are often connected to IVs and monitoring equipment.

Beyond patient outcomes, the trial also targets a major operational challenge. Mobilizing an ICU patient typically requires two to three staff members, contributing to clinician burnout and musculoskeletal injury. The study will evaluate whether a single therapist can safely mobilize a patient using the exoskeleton, potentially reducing staffing burden while improving safety for both patients and caregivers.

Wandercraft has already deployed Atalante X in more than 100 rehabilitation centers worldwide for stroke and spinal cord injury recovery. Expanding its use into the ICU marks a significant step upstream in acute care. The trial runs alongside Wandercraft’s broader push into autonomous robotics, including its industrial humanoid robot developed with Renault, reflecting the company’s belief that self-balancing, bipedal robotics can transform both healthcare and industry.