NAVEE EXO S Pro, the exoskeleton robot for everyone

Up to now, the name NAVEE has been primarily associated with electric scooters and, more generally, with the world of urban mobility. However, the company has decided to broaden its scope by entering a completely different segment, that of wearable robotics. Recently, the EXO S Pro, an exoskeleton designed to assist locomotion during outdoor activities, hiking, cycling, and light professional applications, was officially presented for the Italian market.

This announcement represents an interesting shift not so much for the individual product but for the evolution of a category that until a few years ago seemed destined exclusively for industrial, medical, or military uses. The evolution of composite materials, miniaturization of electric actuators, increased energy density of lithium-ion batteries, and the growing availability of AI-based control algorithms are making it possible to create exoskeletons sufficiently compact to be used by private users as well.

The EXO S Pro is positioned in this new market segment: not a device intended for rehabilitation, nor an industrial system designed for lifting heavy loads, but a “consumer” exoskeleton aimed at reducing muscular work of the lower limbs during activities that involve long distances or continuous changes in altitude.

Composite materials and structural design: weight stops at 1.8 kg

One of the main limitations of exoskeletons has always been the ratio between the mass of the device and the benefit obtained during use. Each additional kilogram represents a supplementary load that risks negating part of the assistance provided. This is why NAVEE chose a structure composed of aerospace-grade carbon fiber and aluminum alloy, a solution that limits the overall weight to 1.8 kilograms. Carbon fiber ensures a high stiffness-to-weight ratio, a fundamental characteristic for effectively transmitting the torque developed by the actuators without introducing structural deformations, while the metal components ensure robustness at mechanically stressed points.

A lot of attention has been paid to mass distribution, trying to keep the center of gravity as close to the user’s body as possible to reduce the sensation of inertia while walking. The part intended for contact with the body uses breathable materials and padding designed to allow for continuous use for many hours, while the geometry of the exoskeleton leaves free the space normally occupied by a backpack, a relevant detail considering that the product is primarily designed for trekking.

980 W electric actuators: the goal is to reduce muscle work

From a technical standpoint, the most significant data concerns the capability of the electric actuators to develop a peak power of 980 watts. This is, of course, not a power intended to increase the user’s speed but a value that identifies the capacity of the system to provide assistance when the biomechanical load is greater, such as during climbs, descents, or traversing particularly uneven terrains.

NAVEE claims a reduction of physical exertion by up to 35%, a parameter that will naturally need to be verified through independent tests, as it depends on numerous variables: user's weight, walking pace, slope of the path, backpack mass, and the selected level of assistance. More interesting than the absolute figure is the principle of operation. The exoskeleton does not generate movement autonomously but provides additional torque synchronized with that developed naturally by the user's muscles, helping to reduce the work required by the legs.

Artificial intelligence and motion tracking: software becomes integral to hardware

As is now the case in many wearable devices, in the case of the EXO S Pro, the software is a fundamental component of the architecture. The exoskeleton integrates a motion tracking system based on AI algorithms capable of continuously analyzing the dynamics of movement. The system recognizes 10 different usage modes, identifying variations in gait, accelerations, changes in direction, and body inclination to adapt the assistance level in real time. NAVEE speaks of a latency in the range of milliseconds, a particularly important parameter in a device of this type. Any delay between the user's movement and the actuator's intervention would produce an unnatural feeling and reduce the effectiveness of the assistance.

From an engineering perspective, the system operates as a continuous cycle: data acquisition from inertial sensors, processing using AI algorithms, prediction of movement intention, and instantaneous adjustment of the torque developed by the motors. This integration between sensors, software, and electromechanical actuation represents one of the most advanced aspects of wearable robotics today.

From hiking to professional use

The application scenarios identified by NAVEE are quite broad. In trekking, the assistance should help limit fatigue during long distances with significant elevation changes, allowing the hiker to conserve a greater energy reserve during the final stages of the activity. In cycling, support primarily concerns the leg extension phase, reducing muscle work in the most demanding sections. The company also cites professional applications related to manual load handling. In this case, EXO S Pro does not replace industrial exoskeletons dedicated to heavy lifting but can help reduce the biomechanical load on the lower joints during repetitive activities.

5,000 mAh replaceable battery and power bank function

On the energy front, the EXO S Pro uses a 5,000 mAh battery, placed at the back to improve weight distribution. NAVEE claims a maximum range of 40,000 steps, a value that, as always in these cases, represents a reference scenario and can vary significantly based on the selected assistance level, the weight carried, and the altimetric profile of the route. More interesting is the choice to adopt a completely replaceable battery. The quick-release system allows for prolonged use simply by bringing additional batteries, a more practical solution compared to recharging during the hike. The presence of reverse charging at 20W also adds a significant accessory function: the exoskeleton's battery can be used as a power bank for smartphones, action cameras, GPS, or other electronic devices.

Weather resistance and app control

Operationally, the EXO S Pro can function within a temperature range of -10 °C to 45 °C, a feature that expands its usage possibilities throughout the year. The IP54 certification ensures protection against dust and water splashes, a sufficient level to handle light rain and dusty environments, although it does not allow for immersion or prolonged exposure to driving rain. The configuration of the device is done through an application available for Android and iOS, from which it is possible to select different assistance levels and monitor the state of the system. The capability to adapt the exoskeleton's behavior to the characteristics of the activity represents an important element for optimizing comfort and managing the trade-off between the support provided and the remaining autonomy.

A still young market, but technologically maturing

The arrival of EXO S Pro confirms how wearable robotics is progressively moving out of specialized areas to enter the consumer market. The NAVEE product condenses technologies that until a few years ago required considerably bulkier systems all into less than two kilograms: composite materials, high-density power electric actuators, replaceable batteries, inertial sensors, and AI-based control algorithms. All this is available for purchase starting these days, at an official price of €1,099 on the Navee website and through Amazon, Unieuro, Mediamarkt, Expert, Euronics, TRONY, and IsyTravel.