The Indego robotic exoskeleton has received approval from the FDA. The device, which is 26 pounds and designed to be easy to put on and take off from a wheelchair, was tested in an extensive clinical trial, assessing its safety on a variety of indoor and outdoor surfaces.

"It is particularly gratifying because it is the first thing that has come out of my lab that has become a product that people can purchase, which hopefully will make a significant improvement in their quality of life," Vanderbilt engineering professor Michael Goldfarb said in a statement.

Indego is strapped tightly around the torso, with rigid supports attaching to the hip, knee, and foot. Battery-powered, computer-controlled electric motors drive the joints, and the wearer navigates the device similar to a Segway, according to the engineers. Lean forward and the exoskeleton walks forward, lean back for a while and it will sit down