Lifting heavy boxes or working on home projects often leads to back pain and physical exhaustion. While big factories have used robotic suits to help workers for years, these tools have usually been too heavy and expensive for regular people to use at home. At the CES 2026 technology show, a company called Sumbu revealed a new wearable device called the Sumbu Dual-Vector Exoskeleton. This is the first suit of its kind made specifically for everyday consumers. It acts like a supportive frame for your body, making heavy tasks feel much lighter and protecting your muscles from injury.
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First of all, let’s talk about the ‘Dual-Vector’ sytem.
The term dual-vector sounds complicated, but it describes how the suit helps you move. Most older assist devices only help in one direction, such as helping you stand up. The Sumbu suit is different because it supports two different types of movement at the same time. It helps with vertical power, which is the strength you need to lift something off the floor. It also helps with horizontal stability, which is the balance you need to stay steady while walking or turning with a heavy load.
The suit uses a system of sensors and small motors to track how your body moves. It does not move for you; instead, it follows your lead. When the sensors feel you starting to lift, the motors kick in to provide extra force. This design ensures that the suit feels like a natural part of your body rather than a clunky machine. By supporting two directions of movement, the device reduces the pressure on your lower back and knees by up to 40 percent. This makes it a helpful tool for gardening, moving furniture, or any activity that requires physical effort.
How did they make an exoskeleton ready for daily use?
One of the biggest problems with industrial robotic suits is that they are very heavy. Sumbu fixed this by using carbon fiber and lightweight alloys. The entire frame is light enough to wear for several hours without feeling weighed down. It is designed to fit like a backpack with extra supports that go down your legs and around your waist. This setup shifts the weight of whatever you are carrying away from your spine and down toward your stronger leg muscles and the floor.
The battery is another important part of the design. Sumbu created a “hot-swap” battery system. This means you can take a low battery out and put a fresh one in without having to take the whole suit off. On a single charge, the suit can provide assistance for about four to six hours of active work. For most people doing chores around the house or working in a garage, this is more than enough time to finish a project. The suit is also adjustable, so different family members can change the strap sizes to fit their height and weight.
Does the Sumbu exoskeleton feature any smart features?
The Sumbu exoskeleton is more than just a mechanical frame; it is a smart device. It connects to an app on your smartphone that tracks your activity. The app can show you how much weight you have lifted and even alert you if you are using bad posture. If the suit detects that you are leaning too far forward or twisting in a way that might hurt your back, it provides a gentle vibration to warn you. This feature helps teach users how to lift correctly, which can prevent long-term health problems.
The software also adapts to your specific strength levels. Over time, the suit learns how much help you personally need for different tasks. If it realizes you are struggling with a specific movement, it can increase the motor support. This personalized assistance makes the device useful for a wide range of people, from young DIY enthusiasts to older adults who want to stay active but need a little extra help with physical chores. It turns the suit into a proactive safety tool rather than just a passive piece of equipment.
What has Sumbu achieved through this consumer grade exoskeleton?
By bringing this technology to the consumer market, Sumbu is changing how we think about physical labor at home. In the past, if you had a weak back or knees, you might have had to hire help for simple tasks. This exoskeleton allows individuals to maintain their independence and perform tasks they might otherwise avoid. It bridges the gap between professional industrial gear and simple back braces, offering a high-tech solution that is easy to understand and operate.
The suit also features a “free-walk” mode. This allows the user to walk naturally without the motors providing force when assistance is not needed. This is useful for moving between tasks where you don’t want the suit to resist your natural walking rhythm. Once you stop and prepare to lift, the sensors automatically switch back to assist mode. This seamless transition makes the device practical for a variety of environments, from a messy garage to a backyard garden.
Pricing and Release date
The starting price for the consumer model is set at $1,299. This makes it significantly more affordable than industrial versions which can cost over $5,000. Sumbu will also offer a “Pro” version with extended battery life and higher weight capacity for $1,799. Pre-orders are expected to open on the official Sumbu website shortly after the CES event concludes.
