Ascentiz is building a modular, belt-based exoskeleton that treats mobility assist like a plug-in platform: snap on a hip module for extra propulsion and energy return during walking, stairs, hills, and even running, then pair it with other modules when you need more support. In the demo, the hip assist is described as giving an extra push up or down slopes and cutting perceived effort by around 30%, with a swappable battery rated for about 10 hours or roughly 15.5 miles per pack. https://ascentizexo.com/
The interesting part is the architecture: a central control box acts as the “brain,” exposing a standard module interface and API, with physical connectivity shown as USB-C. Ascentiz calls the software layer BodyOS, framed as an open, developer-friendly “Android-like” stack for exoskeleton modules, so third parties can build compatible hip, knee, or upper-body attachments and still share sensing, power management, and coordinated control.
On the motion side, the system leans on onboard sensing and gait/motion algorithms to switch profiles for walking, uphill/downhill, stairs, running, or biking without feeling like a rigid robot frame. This interview was filmed around CES Las Vegas 2026, and the pitch is that consumer exosuits are finally getting small enough (higher power-density motors, better packaging, and quick-swap batteries) to be worn for real activities rather than lab demos.
Use cases go beyond “superhuman hiking”: camera operators hauling heavy rigs, workers lifting and carrying, and anyone who wants reduced fatigue across long days on foot. They also talk about assisted mobility for older adults and people with weak knees/legs, where added stability and strength could reduce fatigue and help lower fall risk, with a quick on/off setup time around half a minute.
Commercially, Ascentiz positions the hip module as the entry point (quoted at $1,499 in this clip), with a knee-support module at $2,499, and optional upper-body pieces coming from partners via the same modular interface. They say they’ve completed a Kickstarter campaign around $2.5M with 2,000+ backers and are targeting mass production and initial deliveries around March, which will be a good real-world test of comfort, durability, and how well BodyOS can attract module makers at scale.
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