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Robotic shorts give your legs a boost to walk farther and tire less

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Robotic shorts give your legs a boost to walk farther and tire less

Imagine slipping on a pair of shorts that could make walking feel like a breeze, almost as if you’ve instantly shed 20 pounds. Sounds too good to be true, right? Well, get ready to have your mind blown! Scientists at the Technical University of Munich have cooked up something that might just change the game for anyone who’s ever wished walking was a little easier.

They call it the WalkON system, a pair of high-tech shorts that’s not your average gym wear. These bad boys can cut down the energy you need for a stroll or jog by up to 18%! Whether you’re a spring chicken or in your golden years, these shorts could be a game-changer, especially if stairs have become your nemesis or long walks leave you winded.

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Woman wearing WalkON system (Technical University of Munich) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

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How the robotic shorts work

The WalkON system combines sensors, artificial tendons and smart motors to enhance your natural walking motion. It starts with advanced sensors embedded in the shorts that continuously monitor the stress on your tendons. These sensors are incredibly precise, picking up on subtle changes in your movement, including how fast you’re walking and the angle of your hips.

Connected to these sensors are two thin artificial tendons that extend from your thighs to a specially designed waist belt. These tendons play a crucial role in how the system assists you. When you start to walk, the shorts analyze your gait pattern and can even detect the moment you transition from standing to walking. As each leg enters the “swing phase,” the system knows exactly when to kick in.

At just the right moment, small but powerful motors activate and gently pull on the artificial tendons. This action helps lift your thigh, reducing the effort needed by your hip flexor muscles, making it feel much easier to move. What’s really impressive is how adaptable WalkON is; whether you prefer a slow stroll or a brisk jog, the system adjusts its level of assistance based on your speed and leg weight. All of this happens seamlessly, so you experience a natural enhancement to your movement rather than feeling like you’re being pushed or pulled by a machine.

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Man wearing WalkON system (Technical University of Munich) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

EXOSKELETON HELPS PARALYZED PEOPLE REGAIN INDEPENDENCE

Benefits of the robotic walking shorts

The WalkON system significantly reduces energy expenditure by 18% for young people walking uphill. For older individuals walking on level ground, it decreases energy expenditure by 10%. This reduction in energy expenditure is equivalent to the feeling of instantly losing 22 pounds or 13 pounds, respectively. The system allows you to walk slowly or jog, providing versatility in movement. Participants in tests reported high satisfaction with the device, giving it a mean rating of 6 out of 7 for its ability to assist while maintaining a sense of control.

WalkON system (Technical University of Munich) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

COULD THESE EXOSKELETON ‘POWER PANTS’ MAKE OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES EASIER IN THE FUTURE?

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Target demographics

The WalkON system can benefit anyone seeking to increase their mobility; however, it shows particular promise for older adults who may experience declining physical capabilities. Additionally, individuals weakened by illness can find significant advantages in using WalkON to enhance their mobility and independence. Furthermore, the device is designed for those looking to maintain an active and healthy lifestyle, making it a versatile solution for a wide range of users.

Woman wearing WalkON system (Technical University of Munich) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

WEARABLE EXOSKELETON CAN TURN YOU INTO A SUPERHUMAN ATHLETE

Comparison to other exoskeletons

Unlike traditional rigid exoskeletons, WalkON’s soft, flexible design offers several advantages over its more cumbersome counterparts. Conventional exoskeletons often feature rigid frames that can be difficult and time-consuming to put on, limiting their practicality for daily use.

In contrast, WalkON’s soft robotic shorts can be put on quickly and easily, similar to regular clothing, and are more than a mechanical device. Professor Lorenzia Masia, the lead researcher, aptly compares WalkON to an electric bike for walking. This analogy highlights the system’s ability to enhance natural movement without overpowering it, making mobility more accessible and appealing to a wider range of users. The lightweight, tendon-driven design of WalkON allows for a more natural range of motion, adapting to the user’s movements rather than constraining them.

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Furthermore, WalkON’s compact and unobtrusive nature addresses a common concern with exoskeletons: social acceptance. Its design allows it to be worn discreetly under regular clothing, potentially increasing user comfort in social situations. This feature, combined with its efficiency in reducing metabolic cost, positions WalkON as a more practical solution for everyday use compared to bulkier exoskeleton systems.

Woman wearing WalkON system (Technical University of Munich) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

Availability and cost

Given the current stage of development and testing, it’s likely that WalkON could be available to you within the next three to five years, pending further research and regulatory approvals.

While no exact price point is yet available, we can compare it to other assistive technologies. Current exoskeletons can cost anywhere from $40,000 to $100,000-plus. However, given WalkON’s simpler design and intended widespread use, it’s possible that it could be priced more affordably, perhaps in the range of $5,000 to $15,000 when it first hits the market. As with many technologies, the price could decrease over time as production scales up.

Woman wearing WalkON system (Technical University of Munich) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

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Kurt’s key takeaways

The WalkON system’s potential to enhance mobility for people of all ages, particularly older adults and those with health challenges, is immense. By making movement easier and more efficient, WalkON could encourage more active lifestyles, potentially improving overall health and quality of life for many individuals. While questions about availability and cost remain, the development of WalkON is a promising sign that we’re moving towards more accessible and user-friendly mobility assistance solutions.

If you could design your own mobility assistance device, what features or capabilities would you include and why? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.

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Anthropic upgrades Claude’s memory to attract AI switchers

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Anthropic upgrades Claude’s memory to attract AI switchers

Anthropic is making it easier to switch to its Claude AI from other chatbots with an update that brings Claude’s memory feature to users on the free plan, along with a new prompt and dedicated tool for importing data from other chatbots. These upgrades could allow users who have been using rivals like OpenAI’s ChatGPT or Google’s Gemini to quickly copy the data their preferred AI has collected on them and bring it over to Anthropic’s chatbot. That way, they don’t have to “start over” teaching Claude the context and history their previous chatbot already knows.

The option to import and export memories from Claude has been available since October, when Anthropic also rolled out the option for users to turn on Claude’s memory. Up until now, the memory feature was only available to users on paid Claude subscriptions, but now all Claude users can turn it on by going into “settings” then “capabilities.” This menu is also where users can find the new memory importing tool, which has users copy a pre-written prompt into their previous AI then copy the output from that prompt back into Claude’s importing tool.

Anthropic is introducing the upgraded memory importing tool as Claude is seeing a rise in popularity, driven by tools like Claude Code and Claude Cowork. Last month, Anthropic launched its new Opus 4.6 and Sonnet 4.6 models, which the company says are better at coding and completing complex tasks like working through a spreadsheet or filling out forms.

Anthropic has also been experiencing a spike in attention recently after pushing back against demands from the Pentagon to loosen the guardrails on its AI models, with the company stating publicly that they drew “red lines” around mass surveillance and fully autonomous lethal weapons.

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Why the Microsoft 365 Copilot bug matters for data security

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Why the Microsoft 365 Copilot bug matters for data security

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You trust your email security settings for a reason. So when an AI assistant quietly reads and summarizes messages marked confidential, that trust takes a hit.

Microsoft says a bug in Microsoft 365 Copilot allowed its AI chat feature to process sensitive emails since late January.

The issue bypassed Data Loss Prevention policies that organizations rely on to protect private information. Put simply, emails that were supposed to stay locked down were being summarized anyway.

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Microsoft 365 Copilot’s work chat interface sits at the center of the issue after a bug allowed it to summarize confidential emails. (Microsoft)

Microsoft 365 Copilot bug summarized confidential emails

Microsoft says a coding error impacted Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat, specifically the “work tab” feature. The AI assistant helps business users summarize content, draft responses and analyze information across Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and OneNote.

Beginning Jan. 21, an internal bug labeled CW1226324 caused Copilot to read and summarize emails stored in Sent Items and Drafts folders.

The real concern runs deeper. Several of those messages carried confidentiality or sensitivity labels.

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Companies apply those labels along with DLP policies to block automated systems from accessing restricted content. Despite those safeguards, Copilot still generated summaries. 

We reached out to Microsoft, and a spokesperson provided CyberGuy with the following statement:

“We identified and addressed an issue where Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat could return content from emails labeled confidential authored by a user and stored within their Draft and Sent Items in Outlook desktop. This did not provide anyone access to information they weren’t already authorized to see. While our access controls and data protection policies remained intact, this behavior did not meet our intended Copilot experience, which is designed to exclude protected content from Copilot access. A configuration update has been deployed worldwide for enterprise customers.” 

Why the Microsoft 365 Copilot bug matters for data security

AI tools feel helpful. They save time and reduce busy work. But they also rely on deep access to your data. When safeguards fail, even temporarily, sensitive content can move in ways you did not expect.

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For businesses, that could mean:

Legal discussions summarized outside intended controls

Financial projections processed despite restrictions

HR communications are exposed to automated analysis

Even if no data leaves the organization, the bypass itself raises concerns about how AI integrates with enterprise security systems.

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Business users rely on Copilot to streamline work, but a recent bug raised concerns about how it handles sensitive email content. (Microsoft)

How Microsoft is fixing the Microsoft 365 Copilot bug

Microsoft says it began rolling out a fix in early February. The company continues to monitor deployment and is contacting some affected users to verify the fix works.

However, Microsoft has not provided a final timeline for full remediation. It has also not disclosed how many organizations were affected.

The issue is tagged as an advisory, which usually signals limited scope or impact. Still, many security professionals will want deeper clarity before feeling comfortable.

What this Microsoft 365 Copilot issue reveals about AI security

This incident highlights something many companies are wrestling with right now. AI assistants sit inside productivity platforms. They need access to email, documents and collaboration tools to work well.

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At the same time, those platforms contain your most sensitive information. When AI features expand quickly, security policies must evolve just as fast. Otherwise, even a small code mistake can create unexpected exposure.

The Copilot chat feature was designed to boost productivity, yet a code error let it process emails labeled confidential. (Microsoft)

Ways to stay safe after the Microsoft 365 Copilot bug

If your organization uses Microsoft 365 Copilot, here are practical steps to reduce risk:

1) Review Copilot access settings

Work with your IT team to confirm which folders and data sources Copilot can access.

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2) Revalidate DLP policies

Test sensitivity labels and DLP (Data Loss Prevention)  rules to ensure they block AI processing as intended.

3) Monitor advisory updates

Stay current on Microsoft service alerts and verify that the fix is fully deployed in your tenant.

4) Limit AI scope during investigations

If you have concerns, consider temporarily restricting Copilot features until verification is complete.

5) Train employees on AI boundaries

Remind staff that AI assistants can process drafts and send messages. Encourage careful handling of sensitive content.

6) Audit Copilot activity logs

Review audit logs to see whether Copilot accessed or summarized labeled emails. This helps determine actual exposure rather than assumed risk.

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7) Review sensitivity label configuration

Confirm that confidential labels are configured to block AI processing where required. Misconfigured labels can create gaps even after a bug is fixed.

8) Reassess retention and draft policies

Because the issue involved Sent Items and Drafts, evaluate whether sensitive drafts should be stored long-term or deleted after sending.

9) Limit Copilot to specific user groups

Instead of enabling Copilot organization-wide, consider a phased deployment to departments with lower sensitivity exposure.

10) Conduct a post-incident security review

Use this moment to reassess how AI tools integrate with compliance controls. Treat it as a learning opportunity rather than a one-time glitch.

Pro Tip: This Copilot bug centers on enterprise controls. Even so, AI tools operate on your devices and accounts, so keeping software up to date and using strong antivirus software adds an important layer of defense. Get my picks for the best 2026 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android & iOS devices at Cyberguy.com

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Considering a more private email provider

Enterprise AI bugs raise a bigger question: how much access should email platforms have to your data in the first place? If you want an added layer of privacy beyond mainstream providers, privacy-focused email services are worth exploring.

Some offer end-to-end encryption, support for PGP encryption and a strict no-ads business model that avoids scanning messages for marketing purposes.

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Many also allow you to create disposable email aliases, which can reduce spam and limit exposure if one address is compromised.

While no provider is immune to software bugs, choosing an email service built around privacy rather than data monetization can limit how much of your information is accessible to automated systems in the first place.

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For individuals, journalists and small businesses especially, that added control can make a meaningful difference.

For recommendations on private and secure email providers that offer alias addresses, visit Cyberguy.com

Kurt’s key takeaways

AI assistants are becoming part of daily work life. They promise speed, efficiency and smarter workflows. But convenience should never outrun security.

This Copilot bug may have a limited impact. Still, it serves as a reminder that AI tools are only as strong as the guardrails behind them.

When those guardrails slip, even briefly, sensitive information can move in unexpected ways. As AI becomes more embedded in business software, trust will depend on transparency, fast fixes and clear communication.

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Here is the real question: If your AI assistant can see everything you write, are you fully confident it respects every boundary you set? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com

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Samsung’s Digital Home Key lets you use your phone as your key

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Samsung’s Digital Home Key lets you use your phone as your key

Just days after showing off the Galaxy S26, Samsung is finally rolling out the ability for users to unlock their home with a tap of their phone or by simply approaching their door. The new feature, called Digital Home Key, will live inside Samsung Wallet and is powered by the Aliro smart home standard.

Samsung first teased its Digital Home Key feature in 2024 and said the feature would be available in 2025. That didn’t pan out, as the CSA’s Aliro standard — which will let users unlock smart locks with any phone — only arrived in February of this year. The new standard uses near-field communication (NFC) for its tap-to-unlock technology. It also supports ultra-wideband (UWB), giving users the ability to unlock their door as they approach and without pulling out their phone.

To add a Digital Home Key to your wallet, you’ll need to set up a compatible smart lock through SmartThings using Matter. Only some Galaxy smartphones support both NFC and UWB, including the Galaxy Z Fold 4 and up, as well as the Galaxy S22 Ultra and up. You can view the full list of compatible devices on Samsung’s website.

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