Wandercraft clinic enlists robotics in Parkinson’s rehabilitation
'Walk in New York' aims to helps patients improve walking ability
Walk in New York, a new clinic from Wandercraft, will allow people with Parkinson’s disease to access robotic-assisted training intended to help in the rehabilitation of patients’ walking ability.
“Our mission has always been to restore everyday mobility, building hand in hand with the community of people we serve,” Matthieu Masselin, CEO of Wandercraft, said in a company press release.
At the clinic, people living with Parkinson’s and other movement disorders can work with physical therapists and access Atalante X, a robotic exoskeleton. The device, which is worn over the clothes, is designed to mimic human gait. Automatic balancing and customizable settings allow it to assist users with walking, according to Wandercraft.
“Walk in New York is a space where innovation meets the real world,” Masselin said.
A progressive neurological disorder, Parkinson’s is caused by the gradual degeneration of the nerve cells that control movement. This can lead to difficulty walking, among other motor symptoms. While current treatments can’t slow or reverse this damage, they can help ease symptoms.
Wandercraft’s goal is to bring robotic exoskeleton to market
Atalante X aims to help inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation clinics train patients who have difficulty walking in using its exoskeleton. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted approval for people with stroke and certain spinal cord injuries to use the device. Earlier this year, the company announced the launch of a clinical trial (NCT06777576) to continue testing the device in spinal cord injury patients.
With Walk in New York, Wandercraft hopes to collaborate with people who may be able to benefit from Atalante X, according to the release.
“The team now has the powerful opportunity to work alongside our users, meet their families, hear their stories, and become an active participant in their mobility journey inside and outside of the device,” Masselin said.
By placing this center in the heart of New York City, Wandercraft is showing that accessibility isn’t an afterthought, it’s foundational.
Walk in New York patients will be able to use other assistive technologies as well. These include a virtual reality treadmill and an intensive visual stimulation device intended to promote flexibility and brain plasticity.
Locating the new clinic in New York is part of Wandercraft’s goal to make its products accessible, according to the company, which has another rehabilitation center in Paris.
“By placing this center in the heart of New York City, Wandercraft is showing that accessibility isn’t an afterthought, it’s foundational,” said Christina Curry, commissioner of the New York Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities. “This is about applying truly innovative technology to tackle systemic barriers and expand opportunities for people with mobility disabilities to live with dignity.”
Wandercraft plans to use Walk in New York as a center for device distribution, training, and support. Ultimately, the company hopes to bring Atalante X to market for use in aiding rehabilitation in people with a range of walking impairments, including gait issues due to Parkinson’s.
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