The Fourth Industrial Revolution Will Give Us Super Powers

Recently I had a personal meeting with a product that embodies the Fourth Industrial Revolution: an exoskeleton. Due to a spinal cord injury in 2009, I am unable to walk, and a wheelchair has been my closest and most useful companion ever since. Curious, I wanted to explore the possibilities of using robotic legs.

I put the robot on, and tightened it to my legs, hips, torso and chest. The exoskeleton walked me down the floor -- one leg at a time. It was a strange feeling, like someone had taken control of my body. However, after a short time I figured out how to use it. Slowly, the machine and I started working as a team, overcoming challenges and obstacles together. We walked up stairs and over chords that were lying on the ground. We even danced a little, with my red dress swinging with the rhythms of my body. Thanks to a machine, I was in control of my body.