Wandercraft, a pioneer in walking robotics and a Cure resident company, has enrolled the first patients in its U.S.-based pivotal clinical trial of its novel Personal Exoskeleton, the first self-balancing robot designed for home use.
The trial marks a major step forward in Wandercraft’s mission to restore walking mobility to individuals with severe mobility impairments, particularly severe spinal cord injuries (SCI). The trial is underway at the James J. Peters VA Medical Center in the Bronx, NY, and the Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation in West Orange, NJ.
The trial’s initial focus will be on examining the safety and efficacy of the Personal Exoskeleton in people with living with high-level SCI, which is a complete or an incomplete SCI at or above the T6 spinal vertebra, in the upper-middle back. These injuries typically result in limited or total loss of function and sensation in the lower body, severely impairing independent mobility.
“The enrollment of our first patients marks a defining moment for Wandercraft and the future of mobility technology,” said Matthieu Masselin, CEO of Wandercraft, headquarters both in the U.S. and in France where the company originated.
Self-Balancing Technology for Real-World Use
Unlike traditional exoskeletons, Wandercraft’s Personal Exoskeleton adapts to a user’s movements and environment in real-time, enabling smooth walking across various surfaces, such as carpet, concrete, and tile. The exoskeleton self-balancing capability allows users to walk hands-free, without the need for crutches or walkers.
Masselin emphasized that while the trial is a significant milestone for the company, the true impact lies in the potential to restore mobility for millions of people.
“This is more than just a clinical trial. It represents the beginning of a transformation in how we think about mobilization once the user goes home from rehab,” he noted. “For individuals who have lost the ability to walk, this technology could mean reclaiming freedom of upright movement, standing and conversing eye-to-eye with loved ones, and navigating their everyday environments completely upright.”
The Personal Exoskeleton is intended for home use—enabling users to regain upright mobility in daily life after leaving clinical rehab settings. The exoskeleton builds on the technology Wandercraft developed for its earlier product, the Atalante X, which is FDA-cleared for use in rehabilitation settings. Atalante X empowers patients in rehab to walk, stand, and re-learn human motion without the need for other mobility devices. Clinicians and therapists can plan dynamic treatment programs and walking sessions customized for even the most complex patients.
A Life-Changing Opportunity for Patients with SCI
With the clinical trial now underway, Wandercraft is actively recruiting additional participants and their companions to join the study.
To make participation more accessible, Wandercraft has launched a volunteer network to help match participants with trained companions if needed.
“Our goal is to ensure that people have the opportunity to continue walking beyond rehabilitation, no matter where they are in their mobility journey,” said Masselin. “This milestone brings Americans living with severe mobility impairments one step closer to accessing self- balancing robotics across the continuum of care, providing a path to sustained walking mobility and greater walking independence.”
Eligible participants must be aged 18 or older and living with a complete or incomplete motor spinal cord injury at or above the T6 vertebra. They also need to have, or be able to find, a physically capable companion willing to assist during trial sessions.
To make participation more accessible, Wandercraft launched a volunteer network to help match participants with companions if needed.
“We encourage anyone who meets the criteria, or those interested in supporting a participant as a companion, to reach out,” said Masselin. “This is an opportunity to be part of something truly revolutionary.”
Individuals interested in joining the trial can contact Wandercraft at clinicaltrials@wandercraft.health. Additional details about the study, NCT06777576, can be found at ClinicalTrials.gov.
Towards a More Mobile Future Without Barriers
SCI affects nearly 300,000 individuals in the United States, with about 17,800 new cases each year, according to the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center. For many, traditional mobility aids provide only partial solutions and often require crutches or walkers that limit upper- or full-body movement and independence.
“This technology isn’t just about walking; it’s about dignity, autonomy, and reintegration into the world in a way that hasn’t been possible before,” said Masselin. “For some, it might mean standing for a face-to-face conversation, walking through their home without barriers, or moving confidently through a city. That’s the future we’re building.”
Pending the results of the trial, Wandercraft plans to seek FDA clearance for the Personal Exoskeleton for home use. If successful, the device could become a game-changer for individuals living with SCI and other conditions that impair mobility.