Xosoft
The XoSoft project focuses on the development of a soft, modular lower-limb exoskeleton designed to support people with reduced mobility, such as elderly individuals and patients with conditions like stroke or spinal cord injury. With a rapidly aging population and millions of people experiencing mobility limitations, there is a growing need for assistive technologies that promote independence and active movement.
Unlike traditional assistive devices such as wheelchairs, XoSoft aims to actively support walking by augmenting leg strength while maintaining natural movement. The system uses sensors to detect the user’s movement intention, posture, and activity. This data is translated into control strategies that guide actuators to assist movement in real time. The exoskeleton also provides feedback to the user and collects gait data for clinical analysis.
A key innovation of XoSoft is its soft, textile-based design combined with a biomimetic control strategy, allowing for comfortable, flexible, and adaptive support. The system integrates inertial sensors and smart soft materials to enable natural interaction between body and device.
The project was carried out by an international consortium including research institutions and industry partners such as the Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IT), CSIC (ES), University of Limerick (IE), Zurich University of Applied Sciences (CH), Roessingh R&D (NL), and others. It was funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 programme (grant agreement No. 688175). The project contact is Eliza Bottenberg.
