What robotic exoskeleton record was just broken?

Adam Gorlitsky just became the fastest person to complete a full marathon using a robotic exoskeleton, also known as an exosuit. Gorlitsky, who was paralyzed from the waist down in a car accident 14 years ago, used the ReWalk Robotic Exoskeleton to complete the 2020 Charleston Marathon last weekend. At 33 hours, 16 minutes and 28 seconds, he beat the previous record of 36 hours and 46 minutes, set by Simon Kindleysides in the London Marathon in 2018. 

Gorlitsky told Digital Trends that he was impressed by the exosuit’s durability. He had attempted the Los Angeles Marathon last year, but he was unable to complete it after both of the suit’s hip motors gave out due to the course’s frequent, steep hills. But the inclines in Charleston were more gradual, and the suit held up well. He did, however, have to swap out the battery every 2.5 hours. But nothing stopped him from crossing the finish line.

“When I’m standing and walking in my ReWalk exoskeleton, I do not feel disabled,” he said. “Nor do I feel able-bodied. Instead, I feel re-enabled. I feel empowered. I’m free to take on the world.”