Technology
Wearable robotics are changing how we walk and run
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When you hear the word robotics, you probably think of factory machines or humanoid robots sprinting across a test track. That image makes sense. For years, robotics lived in labs and industrial spaces.
But a quieter shift is happening much closer to home. It is happening around your ankles, knees and hips. Wearable robotics are moving out of research labs and into everyday life. From powered shoes to lightweight exoskeletons, this new wave of assisted movement technology is becoming a real consumer category.
The goal is not to replace your effort. It is to support it. And that shift is bigger than any single brand.
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AI WEARABLE HELPS STROKE SURVIVORS SPEAK AGAIN
Wearable robotics are moving from labs to everyday life, with powered shoes and exoskeletons designed to reduce fatigue and support natural movement. (Xiao Xiao/Xinhua via Getty Images)
From elite athletes to everyday use: the shift in wearable robotics
For years, sports innovation focused on speed. Lighter foam. Carbon plates. Better traction. Most of those gains targeted elite competitors. Now the focus is expanding beyond race day. Nike’s Project Amplify, developed with robotics partner Dephy, is one example. The system pairs a carbon plate inside the shoe with a motorized cuff worn above the ankle. Sensors track stride patterns in real time, and the cuff provides subtle forward assistance designed to feel smooth and natural. Instead of forcing movement, it learns it.
Earlier attempts at powered footwear struggled because batteries and motors were too heavy to sit inside a shoe. The result felt awkward and unbalanced. Modern designs solve that problem by moving energy storage above the ankle or to the hips. By shifting weight higher on the leg, engineers reduce strain on the foot and improve balance.
Battery improvements and smarter motion sensors also play a role. Today’s systems adapt to your stride in real time, making assisted movement feel less like equipment and more like an extension of your body. The company has said it is targeting a commercial release around 2028. But Nike is not alone in this space.
Powered footwear and exoskeletons are entering the consumer market
If you have ever felt your legs get heavy halfway through a long walk, you understand why this category exists. Maybe it is a trip through the airport, a walk around the neighborhood or a few flights of stairs that feel steeper than they used to. Most people are not trying to run faster. They just want to move without feeling worn out. That is where wearable robotics are starting to show up. Companies are building products meant for real people, not just elite athletes or lab testing.
Early consumer exoskeletons for outdoor movement
The Hypershell X is one example. It is a lightweight outdoor exoskeleton designed for hikers and long-distance walkers. The system wraps around the waist and legs and uses small motors to reduce fatigue on climbs and uneven terrain. The goal is straightforward. Help you go farther without feeling drained halfway through the trail. Hypershell also introduced the X Ultra, a more powerful version built for steeper terrain and longer outings. It delivers stronger assist levels while staying compact enough to wear under standard outdoor gear. Both models are designed for recreational users who want endurance support, not medical treatment.
Dnsys has also introduced the X1 all-terrain exoskeleton. The hip-mounted system is marketed to hikers and outdoor enthusiasts who want help reducing fatigue on climbs and long treks. Unlike lab prototypes, the X1 has been sold through crowdfunding and direct online orders, making it one of the early consumer entries in this space.
Wearable robotics designed for everyday walking
Another example is WIM from WIRobotics. This wearable robot weighs about 3.5 pounds and supports natural hip movement while walking. It is meant for older adults, active adults and people recovering from minor injuries who want extra assistance without wearing something bulky or clinical looking.
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Medical exoskeleton makers such as Ekso Bionics and ReWalk paved the way for today’s consumer wearable robotics. (Wu Junyi/China News Service/VCG via Getty Images)
From medical exoskeletons to consumer devices
The medical side of wearable robotics has been evolving even longer. Companies like Ekso Bionics and ReWalk have developed powered exoskeletons that help people with spinal cord injuries or stroke stand and walk. These systems are used in rehabilitation clinics and in select personal mobility programs. They show how wearable robotics first proved themselves in medical settings before gradually influencing consumer designs.
These products vary in power, price and purpose. What connects them is a shared direction. Wearable robotics are beginning to actively assist movement, not just track it.
How wearable robotics help reduce fatigue and movement hesitation
Here is something people rarely admit. It is not always an injury that stops movement. It is hesitation. Many people worry about knee pain creeping in halfway through a walk. Others fear running out of energy before they make it home. Some quietly stress about slowing everyone else down.
Those doubts shorten walks and cancel runs long before physical limits do. Wearable robotics hopes to close that confidence gap. By reducing fatigue and supporting joints, assisted movement systems can make activity feel realistic again for people who might otherwise skip it. Effort does not disappear. The barrier to starting simply becomes lower.
Powered footwear and wearable robotics support natural movement
A better comparison might be e-bikes. Electric assistance did not eliminate cycling. Instead, it expanded who felt comfortable getting on a bike in the first place. Powered footwear and wearable robotics could have a similar effect on walking and running. In practical terms, that might look different for different people.
Some commuters could replace short car trips. Older adults might stay active longer without feeling as worn out. Casual runners could finish a workout with energy to spare instead of dragging through the final mile. In other words, this shift is not about creating super athletes. It is about widening the circle of people who feel capable of participating.
What this means to you
You may never strap on a powered exoskeleton. You may not be waiting for motorized shoes to hit stores in 2028. But this shift still matters. If walking a long trail leaves your knees aching, or if you skip runs because you worry about burning out halfway through, this kind of technology is being built with you in mind. The goal is not to turn anyone into a super athlete. It is to make movement feel more doable.
For some people, that could mean walking an extra mile without thinking twice. For others, it might mean keeping up with friends, staying active longer or feeling a little less hesitant about getting started. Wearable robotics are changing the conversation. Instead of asking how fast you can go, the question becomes simpler. How comfortable do you want to feel while moving? And that is a very different way to think about fitness.
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Consumer exoskeletons like Hypershell X and Dnsys X1 target hikers seeking endurance support on long treks. (Matthew J. Lee/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
Kurt’s key takeaways
Wearable robotics systems are still in the early stages of consumer adoption. Most powered footwear and exoskeleton systems remain expensive and limited in availability. But the direction is clear. Technology is shifting from tracking your performance to actively supporting it. That is a meaningful change. If assisted movement becomes as common as smartwatches or fitness trackers, it could reshape how people think about aging, endurance and daily mobility. Walking farther may feel realistic again. Running may feel less intimidating. Staying active later in life could become more achievable for millions. The real question is not whether wearable robotics will improve. They will. The bigger question is how we choose to use them.
If wearable robotics can help you walk and run with less strain, would you try them, or would you rather rely only on your own effort? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com.
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I’ll never stop gushing about 2-in-1 USB-C cables. They’re really nice to have because, at this point, I’ve amassed so many devices that charge via USB-C. It’s also common for more than one to need to be recharged at a time, which is where they come in handy. I can charge my Nintendo Switch 2 and work-issued MacBook Air, or my Google Pixel 9 Pro and Kindle, without taking up more than one port on the power adapter.
A couple of models that offer up to 140W passthrough charging speeds are currently matching their lowest price to date — including Anker’s braided option, which is available from Amazon and Anker in black or white starting at $14.99 ($3 off). If you don’t mind paying a bit more for a slightly longer cable, Native Union’s recycled 6.5-foot Belt Cable, which features an animal-free leather strap, is down to $23.99 ($6 off) in black or a zebra-like pattern directly from the manufacturer.
While the two cables are slightly different lengths, functionality is identical. Both cables support USB 2.0 speeds topping out at 480 Mbps when connected to a data source, and only the first device connected to the two-headed cable can transfer data. They can also automatically allocate power across devices, depending on the speed of your wall adapter, sending more wattage to the higher-powered of the two devices you have plugged in.
There are plenty of wall adapters that pair well with these cables, too, the kind that deliver zippy charging speeds to your connected devices. One example is Anker’s own four-port 140W charger, which offers three USB-C ports and a USB-A port. Normally $99.99, it’s currently down to $79.99 at Amazon for Prime members.
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Booking a flight can feel like a guessing game. You search once, spot a decent price, come back later and suddenly it is higher. Most people shrug and assume demand changed. Now, a new lawsuit against JetBlue is challenging that idea.
The proposed class action claims the airline tracked a customer’s behavior during the booking process for the purpose of setting or adjusting ticket prices. According to the complaint, that data was collected without clear consent and may have included browsing activity and other user characteristics. The lawsuit also alleges that customers were not informed if their data was being shared or sold to third parties.
JetBlue strongly disputes the allegation. The airline says fares depend on demand and seat availability, not personal browsing behavior. Still, the case taps into a growing concern that goes far beyond one airline.
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A new lawsuit against JetBlue raises questions about how airfare prices are set. (Joan Valls/Urbanandsport/NurPhoto)
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What the JetBlue lawsuit claims about pricing data
The lawsuit, filed by New York resident Andrew Phillips in federal court in New York, alleges that JetBlue monitored user activity on its website using tracking tools while he searched for flights. According to the complaint, that data was used to help adjust prices in real time.
It also claims that when a user searched for a flight, left the site and later returned to complete the booking, the fare increased. The filing suggests this may have been tied to tracking technology rather than normal pricing changes.
The complaint further alleges that this data was collected without clear disclosure and that users may not have been aware of how their information was being gathered or used.
“Consumers should not have to have their privacy rights violated to participate in the digital race for airline tickets,” the lawsuit alleges.
The airline disputes these claims. In a public statement, JetBlue said it does not use personal data or browsing history to set individual prices and that all customers have access to the same fares at the same time.
CyberGuy reached out to JetBlue for additional comment, but did not hear back before our deadline.
The bigger issue: surveillance pricing in airlines
The lawsuit centers on a concept called surveillance pricing. That refers to companies using personal data to adjust prices for different people. Surveillance pricing extends beyond airlines. It has become a broader concern as more companies rely on AI and advanced analytics.
In theory, two people could search for the same flight at the same time and see different prices based on factors like location, device type or browsing history. Companies rarely confirm this practice outright, but consumer advocates have raised concerns for years.
Airlines have long used dynamic pricing, which changes fares based on demand. The key question here is whether personal data plays a role in that calculation.
How AI is changing airline pricing behind the scenes
Many carriers now rely on artificial intelligence to analyze booking patterns, predict demand shifts and adjust fares in real time. We recently reported on this shift, showing how AI is reshaping the way travelers book flights and how prices are set across the industry. These systems can process large amounts of data at once, including route demand, seasonal trends and competitor pricing.
While airlines say this improves efficiency, it can also make pricing feel less predictable to the average traveler. That is what makes the current lawsuit stand out. It raises the question of whether AI-driven pricing could go a step further by factoring in more detailed data about how people search and book, something airlines like JetBlue say they do not use for individual pricing.
Travelers often see prices change between searches, but the reasons are not always clear. (Chris J. Ratcliffe/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
JetBlue’s viral response and why it matters
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Part of the lawsuit points to a social media exchange that quickly drew attention. A customer posted about a $230 jump in ticket price after checking a flight the day before while trying to book travel for a funeral.
In response, JetBlue suggested clearing cookies or using an incognito window. The comment was later deleted. According to the lawsuit, that response appeared to acknowledge that browsing behavior could influence pricing.
JetBlue disputes that interpretation. The airline said the reply came from a customer service employee and was a mistake. It also stated that clearing cookies or using private browsing would not change the fares available for purchase.
Even so, the exchange struck a nerve. For many travelers, it reinforced a long-standing suspicion that repeated searches or personal data might affect what they pay, even as airlines deny using that information for pricing.
Why airline ticket prices change so fast
Before assuming the worst, it helps to understand how airline pricing works today. Airlines use complex systems that adjust fares constantly. Prices can change within minutes based on demand, available seats, route popularity and competitor pricing.
If a flight starts filling up, the price usually rises. That means a price jump after you return to a search does not automatically point to tracking. It could simply reflect someone else booking a seat or increased demand.
Still, the lawsuit raises a valid concern about transparency. Travelers rarely know what factors are driving the price they see.
What this means to you
JetBlue says it does not tailor prices based on your digital footprint. According to the airline, you are not paying more because you searched twice or used a specific device. Instead, fares shift based on broader factors like seat availability, timing and demand on a route.
That said, prices can still feel unpredictable. Comparing options across platforms remains one of the best ways to avoid overpaying. Acting quickly when you find a fare you like can also make a difference, especially on popular routes.
If you are concerned about tracking, simple steps like using private browsing or switching devices may help limit how much of your activity is visible during repeated searches.
Some travelers also use a VPN to mask their location. While airlines like JetBlue say pricing does not depend on personal data like IP address or browsing history, a VPN can still add a layer of privacy by reducing how much information is shared during the booking process.
For the best VPN software, see my expert review of the best VPNs for browsing the web privately on your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices at CyberGuy.com
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JetBlue denies using personal data or browsing history to set individual ticket prices. (Greg Lovett/Palm Beach Post)
Kurt’s key takeaways
If you have ever felt like flight prices change in ways that do not quite make sense, you are not alone. This lawsuit taps into a bigger question about how much companies know about us and how that information gets used. Airlines like JetBlue say personal data isn’t part of pricing. Still, the way prices change can feel confusing and unpredictable. For now, the best move is to compare prices, take your time and do not assume the first fare you see is the best one.
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Are you comfortable with surveillance pricing, or does it cross a line for you? Let us know by writing to us at CyberGuy.com
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Copyright 2026 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.
Nintendo recently announced a new pricing policy, which knocks $10 off the cost of digital versions of future first-party titles exclusive to the Nintendo Switch 2. Splatoon Raiders, for instance, is available for preorder ahead of its July 23rd release for $49.99 digitally or $59.99 for the physical edition. However, Amazon and Walmart are the exception in how they’re pricing preorders for the cartridge version. Right now, you can reserve the upcoming title at both retailers for $49.94, which is a few cents cheaper than the digital version. Raiders isn’t a sequel to Splatoon 3, but rather a spinoff that has similar third-person, paint-splatting gameplay set in new locales.
The same $10 discount is in effect for Yoshi and the Mysterious Book, a side-scrolling adventure with a gorgeous storybook art style that comes out on May 21st. The price of the physical version is $69.99, but Amazon and Walmart are currently offering it for $59.88, which is similar to the digital edition’s price. Given that prices on many tech and gaming-related products are increasing, it’s nice to see notable discounts on physical Switch 2 games. If you’re looking for other gaming deals, we’ve pulled together the best discounts from Amazon’s weeklong Gaming Week sale.
Update, May 1st: Updated price and availability to reflect the fact that Amazon is now matching Walmart’s preorder promotion on both Switch 2 titles.
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