# Kathryn Zealand is building an "e-bike for walking" | Interview

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dy0EHQMr2M0
Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/dy0EHQMr2M0
Generated: 2025-07-20T03:34:14.916+00:00

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## Quick Overview

Kathryn Zealand, founder and CEO of Skip, developed MOGO, an exoskeleton "movewear" dubbed "e-bikes for walking," which uses lightweight motors to provide up to 40% of a healthy person's muscle force, primarily aiding individuals with mobility challenges like knee pain, injuries, or age-related issues in tasks such as climbing stairs and standing up.

**Key Points:**
- Kathryn Zealand, CEO of Skip, developed MOGO, an exoskeleton "movewear" designed to assist with walking and movement.
- The product is colloquially referred to as "e-bikes for walking" due to its assistive nature, particularly on inclines and stairs.
- MOGO utilizes lightweight motors that can provide up to 40% of a healthy person's muscle forces to aid movement.
- Initially aimed at hikers with knee pain or reduced mobility, Skip's long-term vision is to help anyone achieve their movement goals, including those recovering from injuries or with conditions like Parkinson's.
- Developing wearable hardware is challenging due to the need for comfort, perfect fit, and aesthetic appeal, unlike factory robots.
- The AI controlling the exoskeleton must adapt to varied, non-repetitive human movements, a significant hurdle compared to traditional robotics.
- The MOGO exoskeleton is currently available for pre-order and costs $5,000, with rentals and experiences also offered for specific hiking dreams.

![Screenshot at 1:09: Kathryn Zealand, Casey Newton, and Kevin Roose sit on stage wearing the MOGO exoskeleton pants, ready to discuss the technology.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/dy0EHQMr2M0/00-01-09.png)

**Context:** Kathryn Zealand, founder and CEO of Skip, leads a company that spun out of Google's experimental research division, X, in 2023. Skip focuses on developing advanced wearable technology to enhance human mobility. During a live interview at the "Hard Fork Live" event, Zealand discussed her company's flagship product, MOGO, an exoskeleton "movewear" designed to assist with walking and movement, which the hosts humorously referred to as "robot pants."

## Detailed Analysis

Kathryn Zealand, CEO of Skip, introduced MOGO, an innovative exoskeleton "movewear" designed to function as "e-bikes for walking," providing significant assistance for human movement. Spun out of Google's X division in 2023, Skip's initial product targets individuals experiencing knee pain, reduced mobility, or those recovering from injuries, aiming to help them with challenging tasks like climbing steep hills and stairs. The core technology involves lightweight motors integrated into the pants, capable of supplying up to 40% of a healthy person's muscle force, with built-in cuffs to efficiently transfer this power to the body. Zealand highlighted the broader market potential, extending beyond current users to include pregnant individuals, older adults, and those with conditions like Parkinson's, emphasizing a long-term goal of enabling anyone to achieve their desired movement regardless of physical limitations. She explained that developing such wearable hardware is inherently difficult due to the high demands for comfort, precise fit, and aesthetic integration, unlike industrial robots. Another significant challenge lies in the AI, which must learn to support diverse and unpredictable human movements, contrasting with the repetitive tasks typically handled by factory robotics. During a live demonstration, the hosts experienced the immediate assistance the pants provided for standing up and climbing a stair machine, noting a distinct difference when the assistive technology was temporarily disabled. The MOGO exoskeleton is priced at $5,000, with pre-orders available for shipping next year, and Skip also offers rental programs for individuals aiming to achieve specific hiking goals.

### Product Introduction & Purpose

- Kathryn Zealand introduces MOGO, an exoskeleton "movewear"
- Described as "e-bikes for walking"
- Aims to help people with mobility challenges, especially with inclines and stairs

### Technological Innovation

- Lightweight motors provide up to 40% of a healthy person's muscle force
- Integrated cuffs transfer physical "oomph" to the body
- Robotics advancements in the last decade made such small, efficient devices possible

### Target Audience & Market Expansion

- Initially for hikers with knee pain or reduced mobility
- Broader market includes those recovering from injury, pregnant individuals, or with joint pain
- Future R&D includes conditions like Parkinson's disease

### Development Challenges

- Hardware development is difficult due to comfort, fit, and aesthetic requirements for wearables
- AI must adapt to varied, non-repetitive human movements, unlike factory robots
- An anecdote highlights an early prototype's misinterpretation of fidgeting as an attempt to stand, causing a comical mishap

### Product Demonstration & Impact

- Hosts and Zealand wear the pants on stage
- Kevin Roose experiences immediate assistance standing up and climbing a stair machine
- Disabling the device reveals the significant support it provides, making movement noticeably harder

### Availability & Pricing

- Skip, spun out of Google's X, offers MOGO for pre-order
- Priced at $5,000, similar to an e-bike
- Rentals and experiences are available for those wanting to achieve specific physical goals

![Screenshot at 0:08: An overhead shot of the "Hard Fork Live" stage with a large screen displaying the New York Times Hard Fork logo, and two hosts walking onto the stage.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/dy0EHQMr2M0/00-00-08.png)
![Screenshot at 0:20: Casey Newton and Kevin Roose stand on stage, wearing the exoskeleton pants, with text overlays identifying them as co-hosts of Hard Fork.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/dy0EHQMr2M0/00-00-20.png)
![Screenshot at 1:04: Kathryn Zealand walks onto the stage, wearing the exoskeleton pants, and shakes hands with the hosts.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/dy0EHQMr2M0/00-01-04.png)
![Screenshot at 1:10: The three individuals sit in chairs on stage, wearing the exoskeleton pants, with Kathryn Zealand's name and title displayed.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/dy0EHQMr2M0/00-01-10.png)
![Screenshot at 2:35: A close-up of Kathryn Zealand's leg showing the MOGO exoskeleton device attached to her pants, with blue indicator lights.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/dy0EHQMr2M0/00-02-35.png)
![Screenshot at 6:30: Kevin Roose stands up from his chair, demonstrating the assistance provided by the exoskeleton pants.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/dy0EHQMr2M0/00-06-30.png)
![Screenshot at 7:39: Kevin Roose climbs a stair machine on stage, actively using the exoskeleton pants for assistance.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/dy0EHQMr2M0/00-07-39.png)
![Screenshot at 8:15: A close-up of Kevin Roose's leg on the stair machine, showing the exoskeleton device with its light on, indicating it's active.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/dy0EHQMr2M0/00-08-15.png)
![Screenshot at 8:25: Kevin Roose struggles to climb the stair machine after the exoskeleton pants are remotely turned off, highlighting the device's impact.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/dy0EHQMr2M0/00-08-25.png)
![Screenshot at 9:10: Casey Newton climbs the stair machine, demonstrating the exoskeleton's assistance, while Kathryn Zealand watches.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/dy0EHQMr2M0/00-09-10.png)