Hippos Exoskeleton's AI-Powered Knee Sleeve Shows Promise in Preventing ACL Injuries

Hippos Exoskeleton, a human-performance technology startup, has announced a breakthrough that could radically reduce ACL and orthopedic injuries through a soft, intuitive AI-driven ultra-light smart knee sleeve. The innovative garment deploys a micro-airbag to stabilize the knee in under 50 milliseconds, positioning it as the first textile-based system designed to reduce the combined forces that cause ligament rupture. Recent testing at Cleveland Clinic's BioRobotics Center, one of the world's most respected biomechanics labs, demonstrated significant protective capabilities using a simVITRO robotic knee simulator across the most dangerous injury conditions.

The testing results revealed valgus rotation reduced by approximately 11%, anterior tibial translation reduced by about 9%, and internal rotation reduced by roughly 21%, with airbag deployment occurring within 50 milliseconds, well within the ACL injury window. The system integrates three proprietary technologies never before combined in a single garment: an on-device AI biomechanical engine analyzing joint angles and torque hundreds of times per second, an ultra-fast micro-airbag actuator that deploys in 30-50 milliseconds, and intelligent textiles embedding sensors, circuitry, and airbags into a 200g ultra-light smart knee sleeve. Dr. Paul Saluan noted that Hippos has developed an intuitive protective knee sleeve that could reshape how we think about sports safety, potentially marking the first real breakthrough in decreasing ACL injuries in a generation.

The implications extend across multiple sectors where knee injuries have devastating consequences. ACL tears strike in milliseconds, destroying mobility for people of any age or fitness level, affecting professional athletes in the NFL, NHL, and NBA, college and Olympic athletes, military personnel, and many other careers. In the U.S. military alone, 800,000 service members suffer musculoskeletal injuries annually, costing more than $3.7 billion and slowing unit readiness. Retired III Armored Corps Surgeon Col Jason S. Wieman stated that the Hippos ultralight AI knee sleeve airbag system represents a groundbreaking leap in protecting military personnel, with potential to save joints, careers, and keep armed forces in the field, calling it the future of military medicine focused on prevention, protection, and performance.

Hippos is preparing large-scale trials with elite athletic programs and U.S. military units, with the technology representing a significant departure from traditional bulky knee braces. The system resembles premium athletic apparel until the moment it becomes a soft exoskeleton, described by cofounder Kylin Shaw as closer to Lululemon meets crash-airbag, powered by AI. The company is moving into developing a full ecosystem of soft exoskeletons for the hips, ankles, shoulders, and spine, using intelligent fabrics that act as a second layer of protection for the human body. More information about the technology and company can be found at https://www.hippos.life.