Sports & Wellbeing, 3 September 2025
Exoskeletons: How high-tech is transforming rehab
From sci-fi gadget to a beacon of hope for stroke survivors
A smart exoskeleton is helping people in Poland get back on their feet - and reintegrate into life - with support from ERGO Hestia. Martyna Bratkowiak, a young mother, is learning to walk again after a stroke, powered by robotics. Her inspiring story shows how cutting-edge technology is opening new doors - and how sometimes the future starts now.
Two years ago, Martyna Bratkowiak was a professional flautist and a new mum. Then, the unimaginable happened: a stroke turned her world upside down. She had to relearn everything - speaking, sitting, walking. Today, Martyna is taking her first steps with a high-tech exoskeleton that looks like something out of a Marvel film. The device, called ABLE Human Motion, uses sensors and robotics to get paralysed legs moving again - offering patients like Martyna genuine hope for a new life.
Robotics instead of wheelchairs: How technology enhances mobility
Originally developed for soldiers, this technology is now a game-changer in rehabilitation. It strengthens muscles, alleviates pressure on organs, and restores the sensation of truly standing on your own two feet. For many patients, it’s more than just physio - it’s a psychological breakthrough. Often, the first step in an exoskeleton represents the first step back to an independent life.
Comprehensive care: More than just high-tech
This pioneering project is made possible by ERGO Hestia in partnership with the Health Marina rehab centre, drawing on years of experience from the ERGO Hestia Injured Persons Assistance Centre. Thanks to investment in robotics, patients recovering from strokes or neurological injuries can access innovative exoskeleton therapy. It’s the only device of its kind in Poland, and just the tenth worldwide. Patients benefit not only from cutting-edge technology but also from a dedicated rehab manager -providing all-round support that is unique in the country.
After my stroke, my husband was told I had no chance of survival. But a year later, I stood up and took my first step. Since then, I’ve felt myself coming back.
The future is now: The road back to life
The aim of the initiative is not just to offer medical care after serious injuries, but to help people return to daily life, work, and family. Exoskeletons are still rare, but the first steps have been taken — and there is so much public fascination that one of the leading opinion weeklies in Poland, Tygodnik Powszechny, has reported on Martyna's story. For her, this innovative technology is already her ticket back to the future. Each step brings her closer to normality, confidence, and joy.
Global high-tech hope: Exoskeletons are changing therapy
Worldwide, exoskeletons from various manufacturers are making waves in the rehabilitation of people with paralysis or neurological conditions - in the US, Japan, Germany, and beyond. The technology is evolving rapidly, offering new hope for mobility and independence to people around the globe.
Your opinion
If you would like to share your opinion on this topic with us, please send us a message to: radar@ergo.de