Next-Generation Wearable Technology for Children with Motor Impairments

A cross-disciplinary team from the University of Houston’s NSF BRAIN Center and TIRR Memorial Hermann has developed MyoStep—a next-generation soft exoskeleton designed to support easier walking for children with cerebral palsy.

This research highlights how technology can play a transformative role in improving lives.

Motor impairments often limit a child’s ability to participate in physical activities, care for themselves, or engage fully in school, leading to developmental delays, social isolation, and low self-esteem.

MyoStep was developed specifically to support walking. It’s lightweight, discreet, and made from wearable smart materials—designed to integrate seamlessly into the daily routines of children and their families.

The MyoStep project represents a significant advancement in the field of pediatric mobility aids, particularly for children with cerebral palsy. By integrating cutting-edge technologies such as artificial muscles, smart fabrics, and a comprehensive sensor network, MyoStep offers a promising solution to the challenges faced by existing exoskeletons.

Jose Luis Contreras-Vidal, Director, NSF BRAIN Center

Jose Luis Contreras-Vidal, a leading researcher on the project, is also the Hugh Roy and Lillie Cranz Cullen Distinguished Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Houston.

Helping Children Take the Next Step

Cerebral palsy is one of the most common neurological disorders affecting children, impacting motor skills such as walking. Globally, it occurs in approximately one to four out of every 1,000 births.

Although exoskeletons offer some degree of assistance and stability, they often prove impractical for regular daily use. These devices typically fail to accommodate a child’s growth and remain too heavy. By integrating cutting-edge technologies such as artificial muscles, smart fabrics, and a comprehensive sensor network, MyoStep offers a promising solution to the challenges faced by existing exoskeletons.

Jose Luis Contreras-Vidal, Director, NSF BRAIN Center

In response to the need for exoskeletons that support healthy musculoskeletal development and adapt as children grow, Contreras-Vidal assembled a multidisciplinary team in collaboration with clinical partner Dr. Gerard Francisco, Professor and Wulfe Family Chair of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at UTHealth Houston, and Chief Medical Officer at TIRR Memorial Hermann.

The team includes experts in biomechanics and orthopaedic surgery (Dr. Christopher J. Arellano, University of Arizona), mechanical engineering (Francisco C. Robles Hernandez and Zheng Chen), electrical engineering (students Shantanu Sarkar, Aime J. Aguilar-Herrera, and Lara Altaweel), industrial design (Elham Morshedzadeh and Jeff Feng), costume design and technology (Paige A. Willson), and graduate student Hannah Ritchie from industrial design.

“This research represents a groundbreaking step forward in how we think about mobility and independence for children with cerebral palsy,” said Francisco.

Innovations in Mobility

The MyoStep was designed to be discreet, lightweight, and seamlessly integrate into the daily lives of children and their families. At the heart of the device is a wireless sensor network embedded in flexible, smart textiles.

This network collects and transmits real-time movement data, allowing the system to determine when and how to assist the user's arms or legs. For safety, the design includes emergency shut-off mechanisms and continuous temperature monitoring.

All electronics and actuators are fully isolated from the skin to prevent irritation or discomfort. Integrated temperature sensors monitor surface heat and automatically shut down the system if it exceeds safe thresholds, protecting the user from potential burns or overheating.

The sensors communicate via Bluetooth, enabling coordinated, responsive operation across the device.

What makes the MyoStep project so compelling is that it is not just about the technology: it is about restoring confidence, function, and hope. This kind of innovation has the potential to dramatically improve quality of life, helping children move through the world with greater ease and dignity.

Gerard Francisco, Professor, University of Houston

Next Steps

Coordinating movement between the ankle, knee, and hip was essential in building the MyoStep prototype. Enhancing ankle motion, in particular, helps children walk more efficiently and with less energy.

Contreras-Vidal said, “The team is currently focused on enhancing ankle movement control using artificial muscles made from advanced smart materials, such as shape memory alloys, which contract with temperature changes, and dielectric elastomers, which respond to voltage. These actuators work in conjunction with a multimodal sensor network, including EMG sensors to monitor muscle activations, and inertial measurement units to detect gait phases and joint angles.”

Although researchers have studied this problem for decades, existing lightweight systems still struggle to replicate true muscle behavior.

“To make this possible, there is a need for interdisciplinary systems and disciplines to fully execute the physics of muscle gesticulations,” said Contreras-Vidal.

This research was supported in part by the IEEE Electron Device Society’s Humanitarian Fund.

Journal Reference:

‌Aguilar-Herrera, A. J., et al. (2025). Walking Into a New Era of Soft Exoskeletons for Children With Cerebral Palsy: A Humanitarian Impact of Electron Device Technologies and Applications. IEEE Electron Devices Magazine. doi.org/10.1109/med.2025.3541178.