Wearable technologies for assisted mobility in the real world

S Shuo Gao (School of Instrumentation and Optoelectronic Engineering, Beihang University) J Jianan Chen (The Key Laboratory of Computational Chemistry and Drug Design, State Key Laboratory of Chemical Oncogenomics, School of Chemical Biology and Biotechnology) Y Yunjia Xia X Xuemeng Li W Weihao Ma H Huixin Yang J Jinchen Li X Xinkai Zhou T Tianyu Jia Y Yuchen Xu J Julie Uchitel D Dean Ta P Peng Qi J Junbo Ge Y Yi Guo Y Yajie Qin I Inseung Kang W Wenyao Xu H He Li J Jinke Chang S Siming Zuo S Shiwei Wang S Shan Luo L Letizia Gionfrida C Chen Hu (Division of Quantitative Sciences Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Baltimore Maryland USA) S Shuqin Dong Y Yongxin Guo Y Yixuan Yuan H Haixia Zhang H Haotian Chen Y Yu Pan (College of Materials Science and Engineering and Center of Quantum Materials & Devices) C Chenyun Dai Q Qinyuan Ren R Rui Loureiro T Tom Carlson W Wei Chen Y Yuanting Zhang P Panicos Kyriacou H Hadi Heidari K Kia Nazarpour T Themis Prodromakis A Alexander Casson T Tamar R. Makin G Gert Cauwenberghs D Dario Farina H Hubin Zhao

Abstract

Abstract Mobility impairments from aging, injury, or medical conditions limit independence and social participation. Conventional assistive devices lack adaptability in complex environments. Recent wearable technologies integrating neural sensing, electronics, and co-design offer personalized, responsive mobility support. This perspective focuses on advances in wearable sensing and multimodal fusion for intent recognition, environmental interaction, and adaptive control in exoskeletons, prosthetics, smart wheelchairs, and navigation systems. Emphasizing human-in-the-loop and cognitive–sensorimotor integration, it outlines emerging trends and challenges, promoting intelligent, user-centered solutions to restore function and enhance autonomy, accessibility, and inclusion for individuals with mobility impairments.

Article Details

Volume / Issue Vol. 16, Issue 1
Published December 08, 2025
ISSN 2041-1723
Publisher Nature Portfolio

Journal Info

Nature Communications

Nature Portfolio

ISSN: 2041-1723 Open Access Life Sciences

Authors (46)

S

Shuo Gao

School of Instrumentation and Optoelectronic Engineering, Beihang University

J

Jianan Chen

The Key Laboratory of Computational Chemistry and Drug Design, State Key Laboratory of Chemical Oncogenomics, School of Chemical Biology and Biotechnology

Y

Yunjia Xia

X

Xuemeng Li

W

Weihao Ma

H

Huixin Yang

J

Jinchen Li

X

Xinkai Zhou

T

Tianyu Jia

Y

Yuchen Xu

J

Julie Uchitel

D

Dean Ta

P

Peng Qi

J

Junbo Ge

Y

Yi Guo

Y

Yajie Qin

I

Inseung Kang

W

Wenyao Xu

H

He Li

J

Jinke Chang

S

Siming Zuo

S

Shiwei Wang

S

Shan Luo

L

Letizia Gionfrida

C

Chen Hu

Division of Quantitative Sciences Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Baltimore Maryland USA

S

Shuqin Dong

Y

Yongxin Guo

Y

Yixuan Yuan

H

Haixia Zhang

H

Haotian Chen

Y

Yu Pan

College of Materials Science and Engineering and Center of Quantum Materials & Devices

C

Chenyun Dai

Q

Qinyuan Ren

R

Rui Loureiro

T

Tom Carlson

W

Wei Chen

Y

Yuanting Zhang

P

Panicos Kyriacou

H

Hadi Heidari

K

Kia Nazarpour

T

Themis Prodromakis

A

Alexander Casson

T

Tamar R. Makin

G

Gert Cauwenberghs

D

Dario Farina

H

Hubin Zhao