A robotic exoskeleton has been used during a South African rescue operation for the first time, after an exhausted hiker needed help descending Table Mountain.
According to MyBroadband, Wilderness Search and Rescue (WSAR) assisted a 47-year-old woman on Saturday after her family called for help during their descent. The group eventually reached safety at about 23:00.
WSAR had already been testing the technology
WSAR officially announced in May that it had partnered with Hypershell to evaluate exoskeleton technology in real-world mountain environments in the Western Cape.
The organisation said the goal was to test whether wearable robotics could help improve rescuer safety, endurance and efficiency during demanding operations.
WSAR spokesperson David Nel said rescue teams often carry heavy medical, communication and rope-rescue equipment over difficult terrain, making fatigue a major consideration.
At the time, WSAR stressed that the partnership was an evaluation exercise rather than an endorsement of the technology.
Exoskeleton helped with the descent
MyBroadband reports that rescuers fitted the exhausted woman with a Hypershell exoskeleton during the Table Mountain operation.
The device is worn around the waist and legs and uses motors and sensors to provide powered assistance while walking.
Hypershell says its current X Series can reduce muscle fatigue by up to 63% under certain conditions. It also includes a descent-assist function that applies active damping to help reduce impact on the knees when walking downhill.
Hypershell also states that the device is not a certified medical device and is intended for people who can walk independently and maintain their balance.
New technology enters real-world rescue use
WSAR is responsible for coordinating wilderness rescue operations across the Western Cape and works with government agencies and volunteer organisations.
The Table Mountain operation marks an important step in WSAR’s real-world testing of wearable rescue technology.
MyBroadband reported that the exoskeleton used by the organisation costs about R16,365.
For WSAR, the broader focus remains on whether technology such as this can help rescuers and patients move more safely through difficult mountain terrain.