What kind of robotic exoskeleton is Samsung Gems Hip?
As might be given away by the branding, Samsung intends GEMS Hips — pictured above — to attach to the wearer’s hips. Breaking down the acronym — GEMS stands for Gait Enhancing & Motivating System — reveals further details. Summarily, GEMS Hip is a Samsung-built robotic exoskeleton that helps the wearer walk and move more efficiently. As has been the recent trend in robotic exoskeletons. In fact, according to Samsung as per its CES 2022 announcement, it can reduce the effort taken to walk. Specifically, the “metabolic cost” of walking and by around 24-percent. That’s while also accelerating speed by up to 14-percent as compared to walking without the exoskeleton. The usability of Samsung GEMS Hips, conversely, will likely hinge on whether or not the company can garner FDA approval. If approved, the exoskeleton could see use cases ranging from factory and workplace environments to more medically-focused applications.
When, exactly, is this expected to be announced?
In terms of a launch timeline, reports indicate that Samsung hopes to launch the new gadget soon. The company is aiming for around the same timeframe as its yearly flagship Unpacked event. If accurate, that typically takes place in August. No pricing details have been revealed as of this writing. But it isn’t likely that the gadget will be intended for general consumption, either. Instead, it’s more likely, as already noted above, to find a home in enterprise and medical environments. And that’s further evidenced by how many units Samsung will initially reportedly make. The sources put the number at around 50,000 planned units for the initial run. The growth rate for the global wearable robotic market presently resides at over 40-percent, according to the source. And the US wearable robotic market resting at around 21-percent in terms of growth since 2016. So the number of units created by Samsung could potentially grow. Although, again, that’s if the company can obtain FDA approval.
