- Alphabet X spinoff Skip debuts exoskeleton pants.
- Arc’teryx partnership announced.
- Technology targets hiking and everyday use.
Powered pants hit the trails
Skip, a wearable tech startup born from Alphabet’s X Labs, has emerged from stealth mode to announce a partnership with outdoor clothing specialist Arc’teryx.
The collaboration aims to bring Skip’s MO/GO technology – a hybrid soft/rigid exoskeleton system – to market in the form of “powered pants” designed to assist mobility and boost walking efficiency.
Initially developed within Alphabet’s X Labs, Skip spun out in late 2023 amid company-wide cost-cutting measures. Led by founder and CEO Kathryn Zealand, the startup has since raised $6 million through a combination of funding and grants.
Skip’s MO/GO technology provides 40% energy assistance to the quadriceps and hamstrings, reducing strain on the knees.
Scaling the summit of everyday wear
Skip plans a soft launch of MO/GO rentals near popular hiking destinations like the Grand Canyon, collecting anonymous data to refine the technology.
However, the company’s ultimate goal is to make the exoskeleton suitable for everyday wear.
Priced at $4,500 at launch, Skip is exploring medical applications and FSA coverage to increase accessibility, all the pursuing clinical trials for conditions like Parkinson’s.
