Outdoor equipment giantArc'teryxjointGoogle Skip, an X-Lab spinoff, has launched a pair of powered exoskeleton pants called MO/GO. The pants have lightweight electric motors built into the knees that can enhance hikers' leg strength when climbing, while also absorbing shock when descending.
The MO/GO pants, together with the power module and a three-hour rechargeable battery, weigh about 3 kg. The power module is fixed to the climber through a carbon fiber bracket hidden under the Arc'teryx Gamma climbing pants, making it easy to put on and take off.
The product is positioned as a mobile device that can expand the range of activities for climbers, rather than a medical aid for people with limited mobility. Skip claims thatMO / GO pants can make users feel 14 kg lighterThe degree of assistance is adjusted in real time based on the user's gait and leg movements, and the user can also manually adjust the amount of assistance.
The MO/GO system is not very concealed, as the battery is built into the waistband and the power module is mounted on the legs. However, this exoskeleton is not designed to allow climbers to cheat, but to allow those who are not physically fit to enjoy the fun of climbing.
High-end outdoor equipment is usually expensive, and MO/GO pants are no exception. Its official retail price is expected to be US$5,000 (currently about RMB 36,239), but the current early bird price is US$4,500 (a deposit of US$99 is required), and it is expected to be shipped by the end of 2025. For consumers who want to try it first, Skip and Arc'teryx offer 8-hour rental services in parts of the western United States and Canada for US$80.