Ankle exoskeleton system increased walking speed by about 40% A new ankle exoskeleton system increased walking speed by about 40%. May 6, 2021 Being unable to walk quickly can be frustrating and problematic, but it is a common issue, especially as people age. Noting the pervasiveness of slower-than-desired walking, engineers at Stanford University have tested how well a prototype exoskeleton system they developed -- which attaches around the shin and into a running shoe -- increased the walking speed of people in an experimental setting. The exoskeleton is externally powered by motors and controlled by an algorithm. When the researchers optimized it for speed, participants walked, on average, 42% faster than when they were wearing normal shoes and no exoskeleton. The results of the U.S. National Science Foundation-funded study were published in