Dr. Patrick Holthaus, SWAG Co-Investigator and researcher at the University of Hertfordshire (UK), presented the SWAG project to the European Robotics Forum (ERF) community, explaining how the project pioneers a novel soft exoskeleton for empowering humans.

The #ERF2025, Europe’s key robotics event, brought together about 1,500 experts from academia and industry to discuss developments in robotics.

Dr. Holthaus spoke at the “Bringing Exoskeletons to Life in Europe: From Labs to Real-World Impact” workshop, organised by Shirley Elprama (imec-SMIT, Vrije Universiteit Brussel) and Tommaso Bagnesch, Cristian Camardella, Antonio Frisolii, Domenico Chiaradia (Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna) Andrea Calanca (University of Verona) An Jacobs (Vrije Universiteit Brussel) . The workshop focused on the transition of exoskeleton technologies from research labs to real-world applications in rehabilitation, healthcare, and workplace safety.

SWAG researchers are working to ensure the SWAG solution will effectively empower users in the real world in various settings, from motion and occupational assistance to wellness training and immersive entertainment. The workshop emphasised user-centered design methodologies as a crucial factor in fostering acceptance and usability.

Beyond the insightful discussions, ERF 2025 provided an excellent opportunity to connect with leading experts, researchers, and industry partners from across Europe, and underscored the growing impact of robotic exoskeletons and their potential to revolutionise human mobility and assistance technologies.