Hope for Mobility: Caroline Laubach’s Journey with Exoskeleton Technology
Recently, inside a storefront of Wandercraft on Park Avenue South, Caroline Laubach took a significant step—literally. At just 22, she stood up from her wheelchair, a move that felt monumental to her.
“Every time I wake up, I remember my height,” Laubach, originally from Pennsylvania, shared with Nynext.
Her journey took a dramatic turn at 18, when she experienced terminal heart failure that kept her on life support for two weeks while awaiting a heart transplant. Although the transplant was ultimately successful, she endured a spinal stroke, which left her paralyzed from the waist down.
After fearing she would spend her life in a wheelchair, she encountered Wandercraft’s Atalante exoskeleton—a turning point. During a treatment session in November 2024, Laubach was first paired with the device, and it changed everything for her.
“I see someone at eye level, and that connection is something else,” she explained. “It adds a whole new dynamic.”
Wandercraft, a French robotics company, launched its first model of Atalante in 2019, getting FDA clearance for stroke rehabilitation two years later. In December 2023, they expanded by opening their headquarters and showroom in New York, aiming to reshape the mobility landscape for those affected by spinal cord injuries and strokes.
Matthieu Masselin, co-founder and CEO, emphasized that they aim to go beyond just being a technology provider.
Laubach operates the Eve exoskeleton with a handheld joystick, managing movements like walking, turning, and bending. Unlike other exoskeletons requiring crutches, both Atalante and Eve maintain perfect balance, where the former is tailored for therapy under clinical supervision and the latter is currently being tested at the Bronx VA and Kessler Rehabilitation Center for personal use.
Wandercraft’s system incorporates multiple motors at the ankles, knees, and waist to help the user move smoothly while ensuring stability.
Safety has been a priority for Wandercraft, which spent over a decade refining algorithms and AI systems, partnering with major companies like Nvidia and AWS. Their technology has been tested with more than 2,000 patients in hospitals and rehab centers.
One notable user is Kevin Piett, a French paraplegic tennis player, who showcased the exoskeleton by carrying an Olympic torch in Paris ahead of the 2024 games.
“We’re witnessing emotional, psychological, and physiological benefits,” Masselin observed about the technology’s impact on patients.
Wandercraft has now equipped over 100 institutions in Europe and the U.S. with their devices. Recently, the company received Medicare coding for Atalante, allowing eligible patients to access refunds. Once Eve hits the market, it could offer refunds of up to $93,000.
Collaborating with Renault Group, Wandercraft is also working on a humanoid robot designed to enhance manufacturing processes. Masselin, who moved to New York three years ago, envisions future models of their exoskeletons adapting to different terrains—like stairs and beach environments—as part of their commitment to real-world usability.
Laubach’s hope is to bring Eve home once it receives FDA clearance. “I just wish we could see more exoskeletons on the streets, not just for me but for everyone else out there,” she expressed.
