The future of wearable tech isn’t just on your wrist—it’s on your legs. In this hands-on look, we test the Dephy Sidekick, a consumer-powered bionic footwear system designed to give you a literal boost with every step. At $4,500, this powered ankle exoskeleton claims to offload your calves and make walking effortlessly easy.
Read more about it on CNET.com
Nike’s New Robotic-Powered Footwear System: What to Know
0:00 Taking the Dephy Sidekick for a Walk
0:24 What is the Dephy Sidekick
1:13 Military Testing and Focusing on the Ankles
2:18 Is This a Growing Market?
2:49 Who Is Dephy Sidekick For?
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#exoskeletons #robotics #walkingaid
@lynwoodjones
July 2, 2026 at 8:01 am
😮❤
@RagtagMisfitGaming
July 2, 2026 at 8:21 am
Maybe it’s just me but whenever I thought about exoskeletons in SciFi they were something you put on over your existing gear. I feel like these are just shoes with an ankle support feature. I would rename it. But it looks interesting.
@wenscael2166
July 2, 2026 at 10:22 am
Well the shoes go over your existing gear (socks). 😛 But also they don’t seem like a long-term integral part of the system anyway, rather just a way to avoid designing this to fit all shoes for now.
@movewithdephy
July 6, 2026 at 9:06 am
The Sidekick system augments your ankle joint – helping to reduce the discomfort or fatigue you feel in your lower limbs while walking. It’s not a medical device or brace but rather a device that helps make movement feel easier. The Sidekick, meant for everyday use, can be worn over your clothes (or under if your pants are wide enough!) or on bare skin.
@LarsN-m4q
July 2, 2026 at 8:31 am
lol
@Hadley-k2e
July 2, 2026 at 9:20 am
Maybe it’s just me but whenever I thought about exoskeletons in SciFi they were something you put on over your existing gear. I feel like these are just shoes with an ankle support feature. I would rename it. But it looks interesting. ……
@SuperShotoBros
July 2, 2026 at 9:56 am
🤔
@Aragorn7884
July 2, 2026 at 10:28 am
When you want to look more dorky 🤓
@Aragorn7884
July 2, 2026 at 10:29 am
the T-800 laughs at this.
@DariusRoland
July 2, 2026 at 10:34 am
I can see that being really helpful for me, especially given that I DO have difficulty walking long distances, sometimes even relatively short distances – such as a just a city block or so.
@LaCroix-S
July 2, 2026 at 10:47 am
looks so stupid and useless lol
@maxisp1000
July 2, 2026 at 11:49 am
We live in Minority Report, The Terminator is a documentary, and the Matrix is coming.
@Rob-p2c
July 3, 2026 at 12:17 am
The pre crime cops are right now repelling from the helicopters to come and get you
@maxisp1000
July 3, 2026 at 6:41 pm
@Rob-p2c I hate when they do that….
@Rob-p2c
July 3, 2026 at 11:44 pm
@maxisp1000Mr Anderton is knocking on the door…
@maxisp1000
July 5, 2026 at 7:44 pm
@Rob-p2c I have no mouth and cannot answer….
@joelnehl
July 2, 2026 at 1:07 pm
Do you have to take them off to drive your car?
@Riley880
July 5, 2026 at 6:50 am
just turn them off
@unknownunknowns
July 5, 2026 at 7:34 pm
Seems like you can’t flex your right ankle in the heel-toe method using stick shift.
@movewithdephy
July 6, 2026 at 9:04 am
Yes – for safety, the Sidekick should be removed when driving a car. To remove, you simply rock them off the cleat at the back of the Sidekick shoes and reattach when you arrive at your destination. The Sidekick shoes, included with your system, are safe to drive in.
@filipemiguel8754
July 2, 2026 at 2:10 pm
When AI take over … you will be the first “march in”
@FULLM3T8L
July 2, 2026 at 2:28 pm
When I’m 70 I will appreciate this.
@lizbif0315
July 2, 2026 at 3:29 pm
Wonder if this could help people with MS. People slagging these but they could change lives
@spektred
July 2, 2026 at 5:56 pm
Is anyone else reminded of the “Stompers” shoes from Super Mario Bros movie from the 90s? 😅
@Rob-p2c
July 3, 2026 at 12:16 am
I think of the movie Elysium where he has an exo skeleton
@SinSupreme
July 2, 2026 at 10:14 pm
4500 for a kick
@elivelive
July 3, 2026 at 7:55 am
Made me jaw drop
@asprywrites
July 2, 2026 at 10:21 pm
“It’s all a changing landscape” 2:09 (editor changes landscape) – I see you, player 👊🏾
@oozeslime2219
July 3, 2026 at 4:16 am
The muscles that this device helps will atrophy as a result of not having to work as much. It is the same thing as getting less exercise. That being said, when you take them off, it will be harder to walk than it was before you started using them. I can only see this being helpful in someone that can’t exercise anymore, and as a last resort.
@dannydaw59
July 3, 2026 at 5:45 am
True. Maybe it would work on paraplegics whose muscles won’t work in the 1st place.
@ciceroorator1374
July 3, 2026 at 11:55 am
No, it’s not bypassing the muscle. It’s distributing load.
@TheBestNameEverMade
July 3, 2026 at 11:48 am
Could help a lot of people who use walking sticks right now.
@juanlugofitness
July 3, 2026 at 12:40 pm
Little by little, we are letting AI (+ robotics) do everything for us. Even walking. Not good. But this could perhaps be useful to someone that really really needs it, like an overweight senior.
@WestCParallel49
July 3, 2026 at 1:01 pm
Can u walk longer, without muscle fatigue, using them?
@movewithdephy
July 6, 2026 at 9:02 am
That’s exactly right! The Sidekick helps make every step feel lighter and easier so that the same distances feel less fatiguing, allowing you to go further or faster.
@ometofu
July 3, 2026 at 7:03 pm
This is awesome for senior. Hope it will one day dropped to like $1000
@RichEmbury
July 3, 2026 at 7:22 pm
I have arthritis in both my ankles, this would be cool to try, but outta my price range on a disability income. $4500 is about 1/3 of my annual income on disability.
@bobinbaby7846
July 4, 2026 at 9:18 am
don’t worry guy.s chinese are copying and sell it on temu soon
@dee4071
July 5, 2026 at 12:34 pm
Wouldn’t that make your ankles weaker? If you don’t use it, you lose it. 😅
@unknownunknowns
July 5, 2026 at 7:35 pm
Exactly. Lose weight, like this host needs to, if you think your ankle hurts.
@unknownunknowns
July 5, 2026 at 7:36 pm
Nice but losing weight, which this host needs, can preclude you from spending $4500.
@Cw7003
July 5, 2026 at 7:47 pm
I just want my bed to fly me around so I never have to get up again.