A six-week review of the VIGX Pi Plus Exoskeleton.
The first thing you notice about the VIGX Pi Plus is its unique hard-shelled suitcase packaging. Unlike a typical box or bag, it's a suitcase, which kind of made me feel like Tony Stark carrying around my Iron Man suit.
Once you open the case, it's just a matter of snapping the waist clips into the main waist module, clipping in the batteries, and getting into it.
Getting Started
Putting on the exoskeleton is very straightforward, although getting the leg bands to fit perfectly can be challenging when doing it for the first time. You buckle the waist module around your hips (I actually prefer to step into it), stretch the leg rods down to mid-thigh, and Velcro the leg bands above your knee. The initial setup takes less than a minute, but you get faster as time goes on (at least that's how it was in my case).
When you first power it on, a voice callout informs you of the battery level, like "Battery Level: 100%." This thoughtful feature gets rid of the need to squint at a tiny screen or search for your phone. It's simply a hear-and-go experience, and I find it very intuitive.
I anticipated a robotic or awkward feel, but after about 10 or 15 steps, the AI seemed to have adjusted to my gait. On a flat sidewalk at a low assist level, it felt like walking with a tailwind. My initial reaction was, "Well, I'm wearing something," but walking became noticeably easier.
I increased the assist level to 15. Level 15 is "whoo, you really feel it." It's not subtle; it demands that you conquer a mountain.
The device itself is immediately intuitive and easy to use. The learning curve isn't about understanding the technology but figuring out which assist level suits your needs for different conditions. For me, it took about a week to get the hang of it.
By the third day, I had settled into a default setting for everyday walking—level 5—with level 8 or 10 for hills and level 12 or higher for real climbs. Once I had these kind of dialed in, I stopped thinking about the controls much.
There were a few minor inconveniences. The first was getting used to packing and unpacking it from the case (which again, gets easier over time). The second was figuring out whether to wear it under or over certain items of clothing. I experimented with wearing it under and over my big winter coat, and ultimately settled on wearing it over. Anyway, it looks cool, so that's fine.
Pros
After six weeks of using it, I've noticed a few important things that really stand out as great.
The company's standout feature, as described, is "gait adaptation." This AI-driven system continuously refines its model of my gait as I walk. By the second week of use, the assist felt almost invisible compared to the first day. It transitioned from "walking with help" to "walking, but easier." Over time, the AI meticulously refines its model of my specific gait, and I can feel the difference.
Perhaps the most impressive aspect of the new belt is its level system. It has 15 levels, controlled by two tactile buttons. This allows me to adjust the assist level without stopping or even breaking stride. Surprisingly, the hot-swap system isn't just a marketing gimmick. I can easily click out the battery, insert a new one, and continue walking.
The device is well-constructed, clearly. The composite materials feel both lightweight and sturdy. In the six weeks I've been using it, nothing has rattled, come off, or come undone.
If you're an athlete dedicated to achieving race times or training for a podium, this isn't the right choice for you. Instead, it's designed for a broader audience who want to engage in their favorite activities with greater ease and cost-effectiveness.
After six weeks of wearing the VIGX Pi Plus for daily walks, hikes, and occasional walks or runs several times a week, it became an integral part of my routine—more so than most wearables.
The VIGX Pi Plus boasts impressive specifications, although it has a few minor shortcomings that most customers will find manageable. The battery life is as advertised, the AI functionality works well, and the device is well-built. I use it several times a week for hikes, daily walks, and occasional runs. The device has significantly expanded my comfort zone and enabled me to achieve new personal bests.
After six weeks of pretty intensive testing, this exoskeleton has become a big part of my fitness routine, particularly in how I stay active, and I would recommend it for those of us struggling with a lack of endurance, a sluggish recovery, or simply the feeling that your favorite physical activities are just beyond your reach.
For more information about the VIGX Pi series, visit vigx.ai.
