Thanks for sharing info from this article. I have older relatives in my family that have trouble standing up and walking, so I've been paying attention to news stories and articles on exoskeletons since it might help them. From what I have read, they are in development by at least 2 companies and I didn't realize the were already out there and being tested.

I have 2 thoughts. First, maybe this brain issue could be lessened if there was a way to provide feedback to the brain on how much force the exoskeleton was providing. I think the problem is the lack of a complete loop where the brain is commanding the muscles to lift a person or move them, but the brain isn't getting feedback in a natural way. It probably gets feedback registering as a force on one's body from an external source, which it is, and that feels quite un-natural. If there were a way to have the brain understand what forces are being exerted, it wouldn't be such a burden on the brain.

Second, if a person is old or otherwise unable to move, and it greatly impacts their life, an exoskeleton might have more advantages than disadvantages for them, and they would like to have one even with this brain issue. I'm thinking the brain issue is due to novelty anyway, and the brain will get used to the way the exoskeleton works with the body, over time. I'm sure that could be the subject of another study.