Robotic legs used to rescue 47-year-old mom off Table Mountain

A 47-year-old mother and her family found themselves in a precarious situation on Table Mountain, South Africa, as they attempted to descend the popular Platteklip Gorge route. The family had reached the summit when they discovered that the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway had closed for the day, leaving them with a long and challenging descent ahead of them.

As daylight faded and the descent continued, the family reached out to the Wilderness Search and Rescue (WSAR) team for help, requesting assistance along their route. A team, comprising a Western Cape Government Health and Wellness EMS paramedic, set out to meet them at the top of the mountain.

As the family's mother, a 47-year-old woman, traversed the steep gorge, she began to feel exhausted and fatigued. In an innovative attempt to aid her, the rescue team employed the Hypershell Exoskeleton, a lightweight, battery-operated device designed to provide powered assistance to the wearer's natural movement. The exoskeleton, worn around the hips and thighs, helps take some of the strain off tired legs, making it easier for the user to continue moving when fatigue sets in.

With the assistance of the exoskeleton, the mother's steps became steadier and her confidence grew. She was eventually able to continue her descent on her own two feet, receiving support from the exoskeleton and the rescue team throughout the challenging journey. The entire family was safely rescued shortly after 11 p.m., having successfully navigated the difficult descent of Table Mountain.

WSAR emphasized that the situation could have turned out much worse if the family had not requested assistance earlier. The timely intervention of the rescue team and the innovative use of the Hypershell Exoskeleton allowed for a successful outcome, ensuring the family's safe removal from the mountain.