French medical tech company Wandercraft recently announced the North American-launch of “Eve,” an FDA-cleared self-balancing personal exoskeleton. Unlike traditional models which require crutches or a walker, Eve relies on AI-based systems to maintain its own balance, allowing patients with spinal cord injuries to stand and move completely hands-free.
Wandercraft says that the device is designed as a complementary mobility tool rather than a wheelchair replacement, giving users the freedom to stand, reach, prepare food, and handle other daily tasks. Because it has no neurological injury level restrictions, anyone capable of safely operating the handheld controller will be able to use the device.
Image: Wandercraft
Getting to use one does come with several processes involved, such as a clinical evaluation, a trial, and a physician’s prescription. Once ordered, each unit is custom-manufactured and fitted to the individual, who then needs to complete a personalized training program alongside a companion and the Wandercraft team.
As such, distribution and support are being rolled out nationwide through key partnerships—this includes National Seating & Mobility as an exclusive Complex Rehabilitation Technology partner, while Good Shepherd Rehabilitation and USVetServ are expanding access for regional patients and the Department of Veterans Affairs.
For coverage and financing, Medicare will cover qualifying personal exoskeletons under code K1007 as custom-fitted orthoses, in addition to support from workers’ compensation and VA programs, alongside private insurance and self-pay options.
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The launch follows newly published peer-reviewed findings from Kessler Foundation and the James J. Peters VA Medical Center, published in the Journal of Visualized Experiments and presented at the ASCIP Annual Meeting, which demonstrated high user safety, successful training completion, and low adverse event rates among participants.