German Bionic to Showcase How Exoskeletons Effectively Support Care Professionals at ALTENPFLEGE 2026
German Bionic to Showcase How Exoskeletons Effectively Support Care Professionals at ALTENPFLEGE 2026
Technology for healthier working conditions in care — from training to daily practice
Technology for healthier working conditions in care — from training to daily practice
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The care sector is facing significant challenges: workforce shortages, rising physical demands, and aging populations are increasing pressure on healthcare systems. At ALTENPFLEGE 2026 - THE CARE FAIR (April 21–23, 2026, Essen, Germany), German Bionic will present EXIA, the world’s most powerful active back-support exoskeleton for care environments, at booth 7-305.
Under this year’s motto “who CAREs? me!”, the leading trade fair for the care sector places people at the center — those who take responsibility for others every day — while showcasing innovations that make care more sustainable and future-ready. German Bionic embraces this vision by demonstrating how AI-powered assistive technologies can relieve care professionals, enhance job attractiveness, and actively shape the future of care.
Making care future-ready — through healthier working conditions
Demographic change is creating growing challenges for healthcare systems across the German-speaking region. Many care professionals leave the profession prematurely — often due to physical strain, back pain, and fatigue — while demand for care services continues to rise.
Modern technologies can play a decisive role in addressing these challenges. They help reduce physical strain, improve working conditions, and contribute to making care professions more sustainable and attractive over the long term.
“The care sector needs solutions that provide tangible relief in everyday work,” says Armin G. Schmidt, CEO of German Bionic.
“With EXIA, we demonstrate how AI-powered exoskeletons can strengthen care professionals, protect their health, and support them in maintaining long and sustainable careers.”
Developed in close collaboration with care research
A key component in the development of EXIA has been close collaboration with care research institutions. The care-focused exoskeleton was developed in cooperation with Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin and tested in real-world care environments.
This practice-oriented approach ensures that the technology not only delivers strong technical performance but also aligns with real workflows in care settings — from patient transfers to prolonged tasks performed in forward-bending postures.
“Innovation in care does not happen in laboratories alone — it happens in close exchange with the professionals working on the wards every day,” explains German Bionic's Co-CTO Norma Steller.
“The collaboration with Charité played a crucial role in developing a system that reflects real workflows and effectively supports care professionals.”
EXIA: AI-powered support for physically demanding tasks
With EXIA, German Bionic provides an intelligent exoskeleton designed to recognize, analyze, and support human movement. Integrated sensors capture motion data, while AI algorithms interpret activities and deliver dynamic, task-specific support.
Depending on the task, EXIA can provide up to 38 kg (84 lbs) of dynamic lift assistance, significantly reducing strain on the lower back.
Typical use cases for EXIA in care settings include:
Patient transfers — repositioning or assisting patients into seated positions
Mobilization and repositioning — lifting and turning movements
Forward-bending tasks — such as washing patients or performing dressing changes
Material and laundry handling — transporting supplies or linens
Support for logistical workflows — for example in hospitals or care facilities
EXIA is already in use across numerous healthcare and care facilities throughout the German-speaking region, supporting care professionals in their daily routines.
Introducing technology early — including in care training
Beyond day-to-day clinical use, German Bionic is also focusing on the role of modern technologies in education and training.
A current example is the Bildungszentrum Gesundheit und Soziales (BGS) in Switzerland, where exoskeletons have already been integrated into nursing education. Initiatives like this demonstrate how high-tech tools can be introduced early to reduce physical strain and make care professions more appealing to younger generations.
“If we want to secure the future of care professions, we must make them more attractive — and that includes modern technology,” says Roberto di Marco, Healthcare Specialist at German Bionic.
“When future care professionals learn to work with intelligent assistive systems from the start, we strengthen both their health and the long-term resilience of the entire sector.”
Innovation meets practice: ALTENPFLEGE as a central industry platform
ALTENPFLEGE is widely regarded as the leading trade fair for the care sector in German-speaking countries, bringing together professionals, decision-makers, and innovators to shape the future of care.
With key topics such as digitalization, robotics, and modern care concepts, the event provides important impulses for the continued development of the sector. German Bionic will showcase EXIA live at booth 7-305, demonstrating how AI-powered exoskeletons can support care professionals — from hospital workflows to residential and outpatient care.
Visit German Bionic at ALTENPFLEGE 2026
When: April 21–23, 2026
Where: Messe Essen, Germany
Booth: 7-305
What: Live demonstrations of the smart exoskeleton EXIA
Visitors at booth 7-305 can experience firsthand how intelligent wearable robotics supports physically demanding tasks and opens new perspectives for healthier and more sustainable care environments.
The care sector is facing significant challenges: workforce shortages, rising physical demands, and aging populations are increasing pressure on healthcare systems. At ALTENPFLEGE 2026 - THE CARE FAIR (April 21–23, 2026, Essen, Germany), German Bionic will present EXIA, the world’s most powerful active back-support exoskeleton for care environments, at booth 7-305.
Under this year’s motto “who CAREs? me!”, the leading trade fair for the care sector places people at the center — those who take responsibility for others every day — while showcasing innovations that make care more sustainable and future-ready. German Bionic embraces this vision by demonstrating how AI-powered assistive technologies can relieve care professionals, enhance job attractiveness, and actively shape the future of care.
Making care future-ready — through healthier working conditions
Demographic change is creating growing challenges for healthcare systems across the German-speaking region. Many care professionals leave the profession prematurely — often due to physical strain, back pain, and fatigue — while demand for care services continues to rise.
Modern technologies can play a decisive role in addressing these challenges. They help reduce physical strain, improve working conditions, and contribute to making care professions more sustainable and attractive over the long term.
“The care sector needs solutions that provide tangible relief in everyday work,” says Armin G. Schmidt, CEO of German Bionic.
“With EXIA, we demonstrate how AI-powered exoskeletons can strengthen care professionals, protect their health, and support them in maintaining long and sustainable careers.”
Developed in close collaboration with care research
A key component in the development of EXIA has been close collaboration with care research institutions. The care-focused exoskeleton was developed in cooperation with Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin and tested in real-world care environments.
This practice-oriented approach ensures that the technology not only delivers strong technical performance but also aligns with real workflows in care settings — from patient transfers to prolonged tasks performed in forward-bending postures.
“Innovation in care does not happen in laboratories alone — it happens in close exchange with the professionals working on the wards every day,” explains German Bionic's Co-CTO Norma Steller.
“The collaboration with Charité played a crucial role in developing a system that reflects real workflows and effectively supports care professionals.”
EXIA: AI-powered support for physically demanding tasks
With EXIA, German Bionic provides an intelligent exoskeleton designed to recognize, analyze, and support human movement. Integrated sensors capture motion data, while AI algorithms interpret activities and deliver dynamic, task-specific support.
Depending on the task, EXIA can provide up to 38 kg (84 lbs) of dynamic lift assistance, significantly reducing strain on the lower back.
Typical use cases for EXIA in care settings include:
Patient transfers — repositioning or assisting patients into seated positions
Mobilization and repositioning — lifting and turning movements
Forward-bending tasks — such as washing patients or performing dressing changes
Material and laundry handling — transporting supplies or linens
Support for logistical workflows — for example in hospitals or care facilities
EXIA is already in use across numerous healthcare and care facilities throughout the German-speaking region, supporting care professionals in their daily routines.
Introducing technology early — including in care training
Beyond day-to-day clinical use, German Bionic is also focusing on the role of modern technologies in education and training.
A current example is the Bildungszentrum Gesundheit und Soziales (BGS) in Switzerland, where exoskeletons have already been integrated into nursing education. Initiatives like this demonstrate how high-tech tools can be introduced early to reduce physical strain and make care professions more appealing to younger generations.
“If we want to secure the future of care professions, we must make them more attractive — and that includes modern technology,” says Roberto di Marco, Healthcare Specialist at German Bionic.
“When future care professionals learn to work with intelligent assistive systems from the start, we strengthen both their health and the long-term resilience of the entire sector.”
Innovation meets practice: ALTENPFLEGE as a central industry platform
ALTENPFLEGE is widely regarded as the leading trade fair for the care sector in German-speaking countries, bringing together professionals, decision-makers, and innovators to shape the future of care.
With key topics such as digitalization, robotics, and modern care concepts, the event provides important impulses for the continued development of the sector. German Bionic will showcase EXIA live at booth 7-305, demonstrating how AI-powered exoskeletons can support care professionals — from hospital workflows to residential and outpatient care.
Visit German Bionic at ALTENPFLEGE 2026
When: April 21–23, 2026
Where: Messe Essen, Germany
Booth: 7-305
What: Live demonstrations of the smart exoskeleton EXIA
Visitors at booth 7-305 can experience firsthand how intelligent wearable robotics supports physically demanding tasks and opens new perspectives for healthier and more sustainable care environments.
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