These Rs 4 lakh robotic pants make climbing and hiking a cakewalk

MO/GO developed by Arc’teryx and Skip claims to make hikers feel lighter by up to 13 kg.

MO/GO pants can boost a hiker’s legs while climbing a hill and absorb the impact of the steps on the way down. (Image: Skipwithjoy)

Hiking is one of the most enjoyable outdoor activities. Since the dawn of smartphones and an array of other digital distractions, many have fallen prey to the sedentary way of life. Except for enthusiasts, the thought of hiking could send most into a tizzy. Canadian outdoor products company Arc’teryx and mobility company Skip have come up with a unique solution. They have introduced robotic pants called MO/GO that can apparently help you hike effortlessly.

MO/GO pants are short forms for “mountain goats” and come with a lightweight electric motor on the knee. The robot pants weigh seven pounds (3 kg, approximately) and it has carbon fiber braces underneath the fabric which attach the power-boosting module to the wearer’s legs.

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When it comes to the mechanism, the MO/GO pants weigh two pounds per leg with the additional weight of a battery. The module is combined with ARC’teryx’s Gamma Pants, weather-resistant climbing pants that sell for $200 (about Rs 17,000). Reportedly, MO/GO pants are said to offer a 40 per cent boost to leg muscles while predicting a hiker’s movements. The battery pack encircles the waist to power the two modules that are attached to the knees.

It comes with rechargeable batteries and can last up to three hours. The pants are expected to retail at around $5000 (Rs 4.1 lakh, approximately) and will start shipping around 2025. The makers claim that the MO/GO pants can boost a hiker’s legs while climbing a hill and it also absorbs the impact of the steps on the way down. Reportedly, the pants can make the user feel lighter by up to 30 pounds (13.6 kg, approximately).

According to the company, the robotic pants are capable of automatically adjusting the amount of assistance based on real-time monitoring of leg movements. However, users can also adjust assistance on demand. At present, Arc’teryx is offering in-store demos of the pants at its Climb Academy and also on an $80 per day rental across cities.

At present, MO/GO is designed to be worn on both legs. The makers advise against wearing the module on one leg as it would mean a user would have to carry around extra weight. However, the company has plans to enable a mode where users would be required to connect a single powered module.