The hiking trail should be a serene place.
I am the disturbance.
Me and my Hypershell Pro X exoskeleton are buzzing down the mud-strewn path like a machine on a warpath.
© Kyle Barr / Gizmodo
The Hypershell is a rig made for assisting your walks, runs, bikes, or hikes.
In a rarity for weird tech, the hiking exoskeleton accomplishes nearly everything it promises to.
Its as if I was strapped into some tireless machine of war out ofEdge of Tomorrow.
© Kyle Barr / Gizmodo
Taking off the Hypershell was like kneecapping myself.
I was more lethargic, heavier despite the reduction in weight.
The Hypershell Pro X is 4-pound gear that looks like an earlyIron-Manprototype.
© Kyle Barr / Gizmodo
People I passed on the trail tried and failed to not stare at me.
It made the experience of hiking more awkward than it should.
But there are plenty of people who can benefit from this unit.
© Kyle Barr / Gizmodo
Then, you strap to the leg bands around each thigh.
On higher torque prefs, your leg will shoot up from the ground with little impetus on your part.
Dropping your leg will signal the Hypershell to descend as well, at speed.
It feels much weirder on a flat plane than it does on a hill.
Even minimal torque will emphasize lifting your leg for each step, rather than the usual strolling gait.
My small hiking party took to theAnthonys Nose trailclose to Fort Montgomery, NY.
We started at a trailhead that promised a 3-hour hike with a total elevation gain of 888 feet.
I felt more effort from my calves, but that feeling slowly dissipated.
Sitting down may also scuff up the pucks on each side of Hypershell, if youre not careful.
I normally hike up steep trails by spreading my legs wide and centering my weight forward.
With Hypershell, I was limited to a more straightforward gait.
I found the power indicator light rapidly blinking red.
Unseating then reattaching the battery fixed the issue, and I didnt experience any mechanical issues after that.
The rig had very minimal latency, so much that I got used to the speed of its operation.
What most surprised me about Hypershell Pro X was its battery life.
I even had a backup 72 Whr battery in my backpack that was superfluous.
Hypershell claims its unit offsets 30 kilograms, or 66 pounds of weight.
Walking around with the gadget off reminded me of the actual weight of the Hypershell.
It clocks in at just under 4 pounds, so the motorized assist is carrying itself and you.
Who is the Hypershell Pro X Actually For?
There are three versions of the Hypershell.
The $1,000 Pro X has a 800W output and 17.5 kilometer (10.8-mile) range.
The more-expensive gadget is also built with stairs, mountaineering, and cycling in mind.
The Carbon X trades the Pros carbon fiber polymer frame for a 3D-formed titanium alloy.
That last version will set you back $1,500.
And it actually ships, unlike the $1,200 Dnsys X1.
That rig was first previewed in 2024 but is still listed as up for preorder.
In reality, this rig is geared toward those who dontor cantget out to exercise in the great outdoors.
This exoskeleton cant be for everyone.
News from the future, delivered to your present.
However, some of our most-anticipated tech for the month won’t arrive until April.
