Skip recently made an exciting announcement as it exited stealth mode and unveiled a groundbreaking partnership with outdoor clothing specialist Arc’teryx. This collaboration marks the first time that Skip’s MO/GO technology, which stands for “mountain goat,” will be introduced to the market. MO/GO is a hybrid soft/rigid exoskeleton system developed by Alphabet’s X Labs moonshot factory, designed to enhance wearer mobility and provide a 40% energy boost to the quadriceps and hamstrings while walking. It also reduces pressure on the knees by offloading some of the work.
Reservations for the MO/GO technology went live this week, and the company plans to start shipping the powered pants later this year. In a soft launch phase in late summer or early fall, the technology will be available for rental near popular hiking destinations such as the Grand Canyon. The concept of MO/GO was first introduced by TechCrunch in 2021 while it was still a project at X Labs.
In late 2023 and early 2024, Alphabet reportedly began cutting resources at X Labs as part of its company-wide layoffs. X Labs is a part of Alphabet’s “Other Bets” unit, which incurred a loss of $1.19 billion in the third quarter of 2023. This led to the decision to spin Skip out as a separate company. Founder and CEO Katherine Zealand explained that it became clear toward the end of 2023 that Skip’s project would no longer make sense within Alphabet and cost-cutting measures made it necessary to start fundraising.
Despite Alphabet’s decision not to sell Skip’s foundational IP as an individual, Zealand engaged with venture capitalists to establish the spinoff company. Skip has managed to raise $6 million in funding and grants so far.
Over the years, Alphabet has utilized various methods for working with X Labs spinoffs. While big bets like Waymo receive substantial support from the tech giant, smaller projects are encouraged to become independent entities. This model is becoming increasingly common as Alphabet reduces resources. Jason Rugolo, the founder and CEO of Iyo, shared a similar story when discussing his company’s generative AI headphones. Although Alphabet served as an early investor, it chose not to take a seat on the startup’s board, allowing it more freedom to develop independently.
As Skip prepared to launch independently, finding a fashion partner for its go-to-market strategy became a key focus. Zealand admitted to having a poor fashion sense herself, and it was evident early on that the technology had great potential. People who experienced knee pain or struggled with stairs were able to overcome these challenges when wearing Skip’s prototype. However, the transition from a successful lab experiment to a viable consumer product posed wearability challenges that needed to be addressed.
Skip initially explored partnerships with multiple clothing companies but ultimately decided to launch with Arc’teryx due to its ability to meet all their requirements. The Vancouver-based company not only manufactures clothing but also produces hard goods like harnesses and ski boots, striking the perfect balance between style and functionality that aligns with Skip’s vision.
While testing the MO/GO technology in rugged, real-world scenarios through hiking rentals, Skip also aims to focus on everyday wear. The initial launch cost of $4,500 may restrict its use to those with mobility limitations. However, Zealand revealed that the company is currently conducting clinical trials to assess the system’s efficacy in assisting conditions such as Parkinson’s disease.
It will likely be several years before the MO/GO technology can be classified as a medical device. In the meantime, Skip is exploring the possibility of having its system covered by flexible spending accounts (FSAs) to help reduce the cost for users. As manufacturing scales up, the price of the technology is expected to decrease over time.
In conclusion, Skip’s partnership with Arc’teryx and the introduction of the MO/GO technology mark significant milestones for the company. With the ability to enhance wearer mobility and provide energy assistance while walking, this soft exoskeleton system has the potential to improve the lives of individuals with mobility limitations. While the launch cost may currently restrict accessibility, Skip is actively working towards making the technology more affordable through avenues such as FSAs and scaling manufacturing. As Skip continues to develop and refine its unique technology, it is poised to make a significant impact in the field of wearable mobility assistance.
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