Hippos Exoskeleton's AI-Powered Knee Sleeve Deploys Micro-Airbag in Under 50 Milliseconds to Prevent ACL Injuries

Hippos Exoskeleton, a human-performance technology startup, has announced a breakthrough development that could radically reduce ACL and orthopedic injuries through a soft, intuitive AI-driven ultra-light smart knee sleeve. The innovative garment deploys a micro-airbag to stabilize the knee in under 50 milliseconds, operating within the critical window before ligament failure occurs.

Recent testing at Cleveland Clinic's BioRobotics Center, one of the world's most respected biomechanics labs, demonstrated the sleeve's effectiveness across the most dangerous injury conditions. Using a simVITRO robotic knee simulator, researchers found the textile-based system reduced valgus rotation by approximately 11%, anterior tibial translation by about 9%, and internal rotation by roughly 21%. Most significantly, the airbag deployment occurred within 50 milliseconds, positioning it as the first wearable ultra-light smart knee sleeve capable of predicting and preventing injury in real time.

The technology integrates three proprietary systems never before combined in a single garment. An on-device AI biomechanical engine analyzes joint angles and torque hundreds of times per second, while an ultra-fast micro-airbag actuator deploys in 30-50 milliseconds. These components are embedded within intelligent textiles that incorporate sensors, circuitry, and airbags into a 200g ultra-light smart knee sleeve that resembles premium athletic apparel until activation.

Dr. Paul Saluan noted that Hippos has developed an intuitive protective knee sleeve that could reshape how we think about sports safety. The sleek AI-powered knee sleeve represents what may be the first real breakthrough in decreasing ACL injuries in a generation if early results continue to track positively.

The implications extend across multiple sectors where knee injuries have significant consequences. ACL tears strike in milliseconds, affecting people of all ages and fitness levels while destroying mobility and careers. In professional sports, these injuries have ended careers in the NFL, NHL, and NBA, while also dashing dreams of college and Olympic athletes. The military faces particularly severe impacts, with 800,000 service members suffering musculoskeletal injuries annually at a cost exceeding $3.7 billion while slowing unit readiness.

Retired III Armored Corps Surgeon Col Jason S. Wieman stated that the Hippos ultralight AI knee sleeve airbag system represents a groundbreaking leap in protecting military personnel. This innovative technology has the potential to save joints, careers, and keep armed forces in the field, representing the future of military medicine through prevention, protection, and performance enhancement.

The company's vision emerged from cofounder Kylin Shaw's personal experience tearing his ACL at 17, just days before his Division-1 basketball trial. That career-ending injury launched him into software engineering, mathematics, and eventually entrepreneurship. Years later, an airbag deployment during a car accident provided the inspiration for Hippos. Shaw teamed with Bhavy Metakar, a UK-based engineer who built a bionic arm at 17 and previously worked in defense systems, to create technology that could prevent catastrophic injuries before they occur.

Hippos is currently preparing large-scale trials with elite athletic programs and U.S. military units. Shaw emphasizes that this isn't the bulky uncomfortable knee brace of the past but rather represents a fusion of premium athletic wear and protective technology, describing it as Lululemon meets crash-airbag powered by AI. The company is developing a full ecosystem of soft exoskeletons for hips, ankles, shoulders, and spine using intelligent fabrics that act as a second layer of protection for the human body. More information about their technology and mission can be found at https://www.hippos.life.