Alphabet’s X Division Collaborates With Arc’teryx to Launch an ‘Everyday Use’ Exoskeleton to Consumers

This week, Skip made waves emerging from stealth mode to unveil its collaboration with Arc’teryx, a leader in outdoor apparel. This partnership marks the debut of Skip’s innovative MO/GO technology—“powered pants” featuring a soft exoskeleton developed at the Alphabet-owned X Labs moonshot facility.

The MO/GO system, an acronym for “mountain goat,” blends soft and rigid exoskeleton components to enhance users’ mobility by supporting them during movement. Instead of walking on behalf of the user, it aids by providing 40% additional power to the quadriceps and hamstrings and reduces the strain on the knees.

The reservation for these cutting-edge pants opens this week, with shipping expected to commence later in the year. A soft launch of MO/GO is anticipated for late summer or early autumn, where it will be available for rent at prime hiking locations, including the Grand Canyon. TechCrunch highlighted this technology in 2021 when it was still a part of X Labs.

In the last quarter of 2023 moving into 2024, Alphabet reportedly initiated resource reduction at X, impacting its “Other Bets” unit which suffered a $1.19 billion loss in Q3 the previous year.

Katherine Zealand, founder and CEO, shared with TechCrunch, “End of 2023 highlighted the challenges of sustaining the project within Alphabet against a backdrop of global cost-cutting measures, prompting us to seek external funding.”

Alphabet declined to sell the foundational IP to Zealand personally, leading her to network with venture capitalists to establish the spinoff. Consequently, Skip has secured $6 million through investments and grants thus far.

Alphabet has historically employed different strategies in dealing with X Labs spinoffs. Ventures like Waymo receive substantial foundational assistance, whereas smaller initiatives are encouraged to independently flourish.

This trend towards independence appears to be growing, with Alphabet reducing its resources. Iyo’s founder and CEO, Jason Rugolo, echoed a similar experience regarding Alphabet’s approach to his company’s generative AI headphones in a discussion in May, pointing out Alphabet’s role as an initial investor but not as a board member.

For Skip, securing a fashion industry ally became crucial for their market strategy.

Zealand humorously remarks on her fashion insensibility, underscoring the technology’s potential observed even during its developmental phase at X. “Visitors with knee issues or mobility challenges tried the prototype, achieving tasks like stair climbing which had been difficult for them,” Zealand recalls.

Zealand recalls an inspiring instance of a woman climbing stairs effortlessly for the first time in 25 years using the technology. She notes, “The transition from lab success to a practical, daily-wearable consumer product posed numerous wearability challenges.”

While exploring various clothing collaborations, Skip decided to launch with Arc’teryx, which perfectly matched their criteria. Based in Vancouver, BC, Arc’teryx not only designs apparel but also creates durable equipment like harnesses and ski boots, bridging functionality with style—an ideal match for Skip’s vision.

The hiking gear rental strategy includes anonymous data gathering to evaluate MO/GO under actual outdoor conditions. However, Skip primarily aims for daily usage. The introduction price of $4,500 might limit its initial adoption to those without mobility issues. Zealand highlights ongoing clinical trials to ascertain the technology’s benefits for conditions such as Parkinson’s disease.

Though the possibility of categorizing the system as a medical device remains distant, there’s optimism toward achieving FSA coverage to make it more affordable. In time, scalability in manufacturing is expected to further reduce costs.