Children with neuromuscular disorders often experience major limitations in upper-limb mobility, which restricts their ability to perform activities of daily living. Although wearable robotics have advanced considerably in recent years, pediatric applications, particularly for the upper limb, remain underdeveloped. Existing devices are typically designed for adults, making them too heavy, costly, and poorly adapted for children’s anatomical and functional needs.

The Open-Arms is a lightweight pediatric exoskeleton that supports shoulder and elbow movements. Its design focuses on safety and adjustability, offering adaptive assist-as-needed support that complements the child’s own effort. This approach is intended to enhance rehabilitation outcomes, encourage active participation and promote greater independence in daily activities.

By making the design open-source, the project seeks to lower costs, remove commercial barriers and enable clinicians, researchers and even families to refine and adapt the device to meet their specific needs. In the long term, this approach is intended to enhance movement, participation and quality of life for children with neuromuscular disorders.