FR
Plate No. 001 · 2026
Health and safety Updated on By Methodology

Is there hindsight on the long-term effects of an exoskeleton?

The answer in detail

An exoskeleton is a young technology. In its frequently asked questions, updated on 23 May 2018, INRS answers negatively to whether long-term effects are known: these technologies are relatively recent, the first industrial integrations in France date from around 2015 and few lasting deployments exist.

In other words, neither the announced benefits nor the risks are documented over long periods. This page dates from 2018: studies may have appeared since, which we have not read, and other devices, lighter or motorized, have reached the market, notably for the general public. This is not medical advice.

What INRS says

  • Long-term effects: unknown, because the technology is relatively recent.
  • Timeline: industrial adoption in France began around 2015, with few lasting deployments.
  • Benefits: the reduction of musculoskeletal disorders is limited to specific biomechanical constraints.
  • Follow-up: follow-up must be organized collectively, over time, with the occupational health service.

For the leisure models in our catalog, we found no independent study on prolonged use: the data available are the manufacturers'.

How to act given the lack of hindsight

  1. Treat any long-term benefit announced as a hypothesis, not a result.
  2. Start with a limited trial, with simple criteria: discomfort, fatigue, pain, comfort.
  3. Note your feelings over time, for example each week for two months, and compare with your first sessions.
  4. In a professional setting, have a collective follow-up organized with the occupational health service.
  5. Reread the manufacturer's documentation and official recommendations with each change of model.

Limits and precautions

  • The lack of hindsight means neither proven danger nor absence of danger.
  • Effects seen in the short term do not necessarily continue in the long term.
  • A leisure device has no structured medical follow-up.
  • This is not medical advice: if in doubt, consult a health professional.

For the identified risks, read our question on the risks according to INRS and our question on muscle weakening.

Key takeaways

According to INRS, there is no hindsight on the long-term effects of exoskeletons: the technology is recent and few lasting deployments exist. Treat announced benefits as hypotheses, try progressively and track how you feel over time. This INRS page dates from 2018: look for more recent data. This is not medical advice. Also keep the invoice and manual: they will help if you need to describe your use to a health professional.

Sources