Photos: New robotic vest lets dogs with leg injuries walk using their own muscles

The Repawse exoskeleton, developed by Zhou Leijing and her team in Hangzhou, China, is an innovative device designed to help dogs with hind leg injuries walk naturally using their own muscle signals. Unlike traditional mobility aids that passively support movement, Repawse employs surface electromyographic (sEMG) sensors on a healthy front leg to detect muscle activity, which a control system then uses to predict and coordinate the motion of the injured hind leg. This synchronization allows dogs to lead their own movement, resulting in a more natural and stress-free walking experience without relying on forced or artificial motion. Inspired by Zhou’s personal experience caring for an injured dog, Repawse adapts human exoskeleton rehabilitation technology specifically for canine anatomy and movement patterns. The lightweight, responsive, and safe device fills a critical gap in pet rehabilitation by enabling dogs to regain coordinated walking rather than simply supporting their bodies with passive prosthetics or carts. Recognized with the Silver A’ Pet Care Design Award in