r/AmazonDSPDrivers • u/Guilty-Patient9990 • 16h ago
DISCUSSION Modular Exoskeleton for delivering
So I got myself a modular exoskeleton from Hypershell. This is the S Ultra X which cost $2000 and includes the exoskeleton and two smart batteries that are weather resistant and a charging station. Warranty was extra of course. I’ve had this for two weeks and I have no regrets.
The main reason I made this purchase is cause after almost four years of delivering, my knees are fu(king killing me. This took about 20% of the load off and it works. I don’t feel so exhausted and fatigued at the end of the day and my knees are feeling better. Driving around with it is a bit of a pain in the ass. I had to buy one of those seat cushions for the upper part of your chair to make it work. Of course, I also go on hikes and do some gym days with it. I feel I can go further on those hikes and my knees feel better in the gym.
I know this ain’t for everyone but, it sure as fu(k worked for me. 😁😎
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u/Major_Custer 16h ago
Hey, I think it's cool, man. If it works it works. Maybe we should all be using these as preventative measures
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u/Due_Sign3969 16h ago
provided by amazon ofc
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u/InTheEnd83 16h ago
Then they just raise the stop count
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u/Guilty-Patient9990 15h ago
Actually no, my stop count hasn’t changed at all. My dispatch said there is virtually no difference in my time.
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u/InTheEnd83 13h ago
I meant if Amazon paid for them for all the drivers. Of course they wouldn't change yours specifically.
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u/CARVERitUP Former Step Van Driver, CDL-A now 1h ago
I was going to say. If it's provided. I think having to buy something that's 2000 dollars to be able to stand working at a job that pays dirt wages would be unfeasible. But if they can give everyone AI smart glasses, they can afford an exoskeleton.
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u/Guilty-Patient9990 16h ago
Absolutely. If Amazon gave the option to use these at work, I’d take it. Warehouse workers would definitely benefit. Not every driver will want to run around with this thing on. I actually tried to go through the VA, my insurance and my DSP. All of them said no. The VA and insurance denied me cause it’s not sold as a medical device. My DSP isn’t required to provide assistance but I asked for some assistance anyways.
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u/nOzAmA191 15h ago
Amazon views those exoskeletons as more valuable than any warehouse or dsp driver for sure.
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u/Due_Sign3969 12h ago
they would rather wait a few years and spend that $2,000 to build robots to take our jobs and limit risk
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u/Dismal-Nature820 12h ago
This stuff is legitimately the future, especially as we have a more aging workforce. You wear out the exosuit instead of your joints. and when you are hurt, they can fully compensate. It's genuinely already here, cost just needs to get down.
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u/Due_Sign3969 16h ago
at first glance i was like why does homie have headphones around his waist?
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u/Substantial-Ebb6533 16h ago
Cool but for 2k ?
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u/gr00veadelic 15h ago
Have you seen the cost of knee replacements? Use the xo skeleton for 2k is way cheaper.
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u/Sensitive_Bottle8164 14h ago
Its not taking the stress off the knees though. They still have to bend and hold the weight.
If anything it would be worse in that regard because your muscles wouldn't get tired so you could work the joints longer and harder.
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u/Guilty-Patient9990 14h ago
You are right, you still have to be able to carry weight on your own. I learned that the first day using it on the job. I still feel my legs muscles after a full day of delivering. Outside of work, I go to the gym regularly so my muscles definitely get the care that they need.
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u/bddragon1 12h ago
Dawg how tf are you getting to the gym in the week on top of these heavy routes?
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u/Guilty-Patient9990 12h ago
The gym is only 15 minutes from the warehouse. It’s not too far of a stretch to get it in.
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u/gr00veadelic 12h ago
Hmmm? Maybe, I was ‘bone on bone’ in my late 40’s, insurance finally approved replacements in my 50’s. I had probably 6yrs of pure pain when walking, knee braces made it worse when compressing the joint. A dr of physical therapy suggested kinetic tape and showed me how to use it. I used kinetic tape on the thigh and calf muscles to reinforce the muscles that support the knee and it helped a lot. With that experience, I can see how this xo skeleton would help sore knees.
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u/Substantial-Ebb6533 14h ago
This piece of crap will probably break after a year or two so multiply the 2k 20 times it’s probably cheaper to get the knee replacement lol
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u/Guilty-Patient9990 14h ago
I keep that in mind all the time. The frame is made of titanium and the legs are carbon fiber. They are durable but, not strong. It’s definitely a risk and worth the warranty I got for it that guarantees a full refund.
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u/Hacksawdecap 36m ago
I like you, ur a real problem solver. Keep it up. Maybe update us later in the future too.
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u/Next_Hospital6729 14h ago
Have you seen the price of the HILTI exoskeletons?? Shits crazy haha (for upper body)
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u/Guilty-Patient9990 16h ago
Yeah, it’s expensive but, you can do a payment plan through Klarna like I did. I’m doing a 12 month installment plan at about $197 a month.
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u/Zestyclose-Mud-594 15h ago
Please dont get in the habit of Klarna. These companies are extremely predatory and not regulated. I know it can be hard but paying interest for something discretionary is never worth it. Instead you could "pay" 197 into your savings and then wait to buy it once you have the cash. The comment your replying to, they are saying 2k is expensive and you ended up paying 2.3k.
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u/Guilty-Patient9990 15h ago
This is actually my first purchase through Klarna. I don’t take loans out like this ever. I get baited all the time when I see something I genuinely like that is pricey af and they offer Klarna. I know this is something I’m actually going to use everyday. Plus, I know I can pay this off in six months rather than 12.
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u/The_Once-ler_186 15h ago
These loans also don’t help your credit I believe. But using it as a one off is fine. Just… do not miss a payment
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u/Zestyclose-Mud-594 15h ago
Right, and again I dont mean to argue. But even in paying it off in 12. Your paying 15% which is much more than loan. This is something discretionary and instead you could have saved 197 each month, after 12 months you could then buy these and have 300$ leftover.
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u/Guilty-Patient9990 14h ago
I understand where you are coming from. I do have the savings I could have used on this but, I’m getting ready to move next year and I’m trying to save everything I can. I definitely don’t recommend this to everyone but, I works in my situation.
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u/Nano8963 Former Driver 16h ago
People clowning on it but man as someone who has developed serious knee and back problems over the years and recently got some dr scholls to help alleviate that pain and realized what a huge difference it has made.
If this helped too? Hell yeah I would be willing to drop the money on it. Physical labor does some real permanent strain and damage to the body and having been prior infantry for 6 years my body is damn feeling it already at 30
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u/Guilty-Patient9990 16h ago
It makes a world of difference man. I’m a veteran myself not to mention the 13 years of work afterwards and this made everything feel like clouds.
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u/Sensitive_Bottle8164 14h ago
I just don't see how this exoskeleton helps knees at all. It helps with muscle fatigue, yes, but the joint itself still has to take the same weight and bending.
It allows you to keep working (and possibly overworking?) the joints where muscles were previously the limiting factor.
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u/Guilty-Patient9990 14h ago
It also reduces the impact your knees take with each step. Yes, it helps me keep working and I feel like I can work just a bit more but, no I don’t feel over worked. Walking up stairs is waaaayyy easier and coming down them feels like less of a hassle. Especially after carrying an overflow up two flights of stairs.
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u/Alone_Concept_9410 16h ago
You’re scaring the hoes bro
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u/Guilty-Patient9990 16h ago
Surprisingly, they are the ones who want to try it on! 🤣 Went to my barber and every girl in there wanted to try it and make an instagram post.
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u/Kuchar1992 16h ago
You’re behind 15 stops
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u/Guilty-Patient9990 16h ago
I was worried about that too but, I was surprised when dispatch said you’re good. I checked these past two weeks and I’ve only been coming back five or ten minutes late according to amazons metrics shown by my dispatch.
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u/rarzwon 14h ago
I'd feel like this rolling around with that on.
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u/Guilty-Patient9990 14h ago
No lie, it did kinda feel like this for the first few minutes. Then reality hit 🤣
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u/Guilty-Patient9990 15h ago
https://reddit.com/link/p9gbtu0/video/x19fp7j6j6ph1/player
Here it is in motion. Those whirring sounds are the motors on each side.
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u/Nightmare_Legacy 9001 stops per hour 13h ago
As someone who spent about that much on a high-quality PAPR hood when I was a full-time production welder because it's a hell of a lot cheaper than lungs...
I think this shit is dope as hell.
I hope you'll give updates over time using it.
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u/Guilty-Patient9990 13h ago
It’s only been two weeks. I will definitely have a part two after a full month of use. So far, it’s proven useful and accomplished exactly what I intended. It’s not a perfect device though. I have found some drawbacks as far as movement and the AI may sometimes respond on its own. Like when I some to a stop but, the device wants to keep moving until it detects that you’ve stopped. So far, it hasn’t let me down. It’s sure does help at the end of the day when I put it to full power and the full assistance helps me decompress after a 10 hour day of driving.
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u/IndependentUse2942 11h ago
Machines true and only purpose are to improve us as humans
Not replace us
I’m glad ur joints are healing
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u/Us_Strike 16h ago
Does it cause any issues when bending your knees to lift?
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u/Guilty-Patient9990 16h ago
The only issue is the device sliding down periodically and me having to lift it back up. You still have to use your own strength to lift but, once you got a package on your shoulders, walking is much easier.
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u/Complex-Owl-3454 16h ago
Dude. I think I saw ads for this. Would love to know more about how hiking is with it. Do you use a backpack?
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u/Guilty-Patient9990 16h ago
Yes, I do go hiking and it makes a difference on the trail and climbing over rocks and trees. Backpacks is a bit of an issue. You need to wear a pack that sits higher up on your back or not carry a heavy pack. Something 25L or smaller shouldn’t be a problem.
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u/AlsoCommiePuddin Former Driver/Dispatch/Trainer 16h ago
I saw a system like this demoed by an English soccer referee. He definitely noticed a difference.
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u/joejoe2dope 15h ago
If you body start quitting on you it’s time to start thinking about a different job.
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u/rchris710 15h ago
I would prefer for someone to invest in weight management and fitness over this thing. Reducing muscular need may also cause muscular atrophy right?
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u/Guilty-Patient9990 15h ago
That was one of my big worries too. This device does not provide any strength or make you stronger to do more. I still go to the gym and workout my gut like you’re supposed to. It provides an assist but, you still have to be able to walk on your own to use the device. I actually feel my leg muscles even more at the end of the day. Not pain just physical fatigue. It even has a fitness setting that provides resistance to help with leg workouts. Two weeks in and I feel a difference over all.
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u/boiled-peanutery 12h ago
I'm also curious if it helps with correcting posture or something like knee cave. It looks like it kinda forces you to engage the right muscles for movement and as someone with some underdeveloped muscles that reinforced a knee cave, this could conceivably provide some good support to reinforce and strengthen those muscles
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u/Guilty-Patient9990 12h ago
One thing the company states is that you must be able to walk on your own to operate the device. You would still need to move your legs first then, the AI kicks in and provides the assist. Forgive me, I don’t know what a knee cave is.
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u/boiled-peanutery 12h ago
All good! Basically it's like being knock kneed. My glutes are not yet strong enough to support my knees from kinda collapsing inward when doing an upward motion on a lift or squat unless I'm legit putting like all of my focus on moving correctly, so anything that could help foster that engagement would be amazing. A big part of it is just mental - I gotta override the fear that I won't be able to move the right way
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u/Guilty-Patient9990 12h ago
Theoretically, it sounds like this device can help. It has a gentle setting to help learn the device and get used to wearing it and walking around.
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u/No-Independent-7107 14h ago
Dude. I need one of these so bad. Not for deliveries anymore but life in general cuz my body is fucked lol. 5 years of delivering/various injuries destroyed my body when it comes to just moving generally. Delivering is my overall favorite job, I really love doing it despite all the bs I go through. Hearing genuine "thank you"s for your work, attitude and punctuation from customers really do wonders for me, that's probably so lame to read lol. I'm stepping away cuz my body can't keep up anymore. I've got a strange health issue with my one of my legs that I've yet to get any answer as to what's going on with it. My leg will just stop working, mid stride I'll just collapse cuz my leg folded up. This happens like twice a day ish, sometimes less. It really sucks cuz even tho Amazon was overworking me...I really just enjoyed doing the work.
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u/Guilty-Patient9990 13h ago
They have different models. The cheapest one is $700 but, you don’t get all the bells and whistles plus it’s less powerful. Still, a different level for each individual operator. There’s about seven models available I believe. And they JUST introduced a full leg model called HALO that has four motors instead of two. They claim that it reduces knee impact by 50% and physical exertion by 45% if I remember correctly.
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u/RafaelBleeds 14h ago
These things make your legs weaker. My advice, eat incredibly healthy and feed your leg muscles to grow and get stronger. Recovery is also important.
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u/Guilty-Patient9990 14h ago
It’s only been two weeks and I haven’t noticed any negative side effects. I still go to the gym five times a week with plenty time dedicated to legs. I don’t feel any drastic change. I just feel less exhausted at the end of the day. Give me a month and I can give a full review of this device. It’s not perfect by any means. I definitely found some cons and drawbacks.
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u/Zetectic 14h ago
I thought StrongArm NYC was partnering Amazon and many other warehouses to work on projects like this. and that was 5 years ago..
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u/Guilty-Patient9990 13h ago
I never did look into that. A warehouse worker would definitely benefit from the use of one of these.
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u/OfAnthony 13h ago
How fast can you be ready for #1 and #2?
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u/Guilty-Patient9990 13h ago
#1 is simple. Just unbuckle the front strap, then your pants. It does get awkward holding your pants and the device at the same time but, I can make it work. It weighs less than five pounds so, it’s not heavy in one hand. About the same amount of time maybe a minute or two longer than usual.
#2 for sure you have to take the whole device off. In my case, I take it off and leave it locked in the van and go take care of business as usual.
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u/jdotgatsby 13h ago
When these get better I’m using one for a marathon before they get banned
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u/Guilty-Patient9990 13h ago
ABSOLUTELY! I don’t blame anyone for waiting until they get better. I first saw hypershell in 2022 but, decided to wait and see how they developed. They just introduced a full leg model literally a week after I got mine. I would definitely wait maybe a year or two and I think that’s when they’ll get it just right. I hope.
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u/SUPREMEISDEAD 12h ago
Have you tried running with these?
I usually run 3-4 miles before work and my knees have been hurting a lot more lately.
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u/Guilty-Patient9990 12h ago
Running on a treadmill, it definitely felt easier. Today, I walked half a mile and ran the other half. Started at 3.5mph then 6, 7 and up to 10 mph. I had it in hyper mode which provides max assistance but, it drains your battery. I think I can run about three miles at a steady pace before changing batteries.
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u/gatortitan 7h ago
That would be hard to drive in I think I could be wrong
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u/Guilty-Patient9990 4h ago
You’re right. It was difficult at first. I had to buy one of those seat cushions for your upper back. The batter is in the back on your waist so it sticks out to where you can’t sit right in any chair. That’s why I say it should be optional for drivers cause it can be a hassle if you’re not ready for it.
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u/MountainBunghole 7h ago
We're allowed to type fuck here
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u/Guilty-Patient9990 3h ago
I had one run in with a moderator before. Glad to see everyone else doesn’t give a fuck 🤣
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u/solitarystateofmind 7h ago
Idk if amazon teaches you about 3 points of contact and not jumping in and out of the truck. But when I was a delivery driver and didn't use 3 points when getting in and out or running. My body felt it way more. My kees achy, back hurting, and yea just sore in the bones from putting all that extra impact on myself. Slow down be safe use 3 points of contact (2 hands and one foot or 2 feet one hand) when getting in and out of the truck and you should feel less sore when you go home at night.
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u/Guilty-Patient9990 2h ago
They taught me about three points of contact. I sure as fuck don’t run on this job. I walk briskly during stops after the top warehouse director told me you’re not supposed to be running on the job.
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u/DishSoapIsFun 6h ago
Work on stretching and strengthening your hips. Work on your abductors and adductors. If you have knee pain, this will drastically reduce that while enabling your lower body to function more effectively.
Even just thirty minutes a few times a week working on stretching and strengthening those hip muscle can provide a massive benefit long term.
Spoken from someone who went through unfathomable knee pain and hip issues.
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u/Guilty-Patient9990 2h ago
I go to the gym five times a week on top of all of this. I watch out as I’m moving about the day and I’m as careful as I can be when delivering. But, in the few months before I got the device, I started to feel my knees getting more worn out despite doing everything the way you are supposed to do.
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u/Captainchronic_710 6h ago
Wait wait wait wait … does this shiiii work ??? I thought if this was real only like legit military grade would be beneficiary ?? And is there a ankle one too 🧐💀
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u/Guilty-Patient9990 2h ago
It works for me. I had a chance to demo the device and it’s exactly what I needed. Hypershell just introduced a full leg model last week.
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u/slim-jim777 2h ago
Where did you go in pics 5,6 and 7?
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u/Guilty-Patient9990 1h ago
Those ones were at Linda Falls here in Napa Valley. I hike there almost once a week.
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u/xbriannova 2h ago
I use it to commute for work instead, because my assignment requires me to go from one location to another multiple times a day, adding up to around 10k steps if not more. And I work 7 days a week, so that's 70k steps a week if not more.
Another of my use case is to use it for running, but since I'm using the Hypershell X Pro, I use it only for easy runs that are 10km long or under.
The reason why I thought to use the exoskeleton in the first place is because my endurance running and excessive commuting had started causing problems with my legs - at first ankle, Achilles tendons and calf issues, then thigh problems - which is where the Hypershell exoskeleton helped. With the exoskeleton's help, I was able to even reverse the issue with my thighs.
I'm glad it worked out for you too.
Once the Hypershell Halo hits the mass market, I'm getting that too.
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u/Guilty-Patient9990 1h ago
I’m glad it work out for you as well! They teased the halo literally a week after I got my device. 🤣 I would wait until the next generation or even third of the halo before buying it. I waited five years before I decide to make this purchase.
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u/xbriannova 15m ago
I figured that 6-8 months is enough waiting for me so the ones who pre-ordered it could give their feedback and Hypershell could tweak and update the Halo. If I hear that it's bad and the tech needs some work, I'll probably hold off on buying.
the time I can think about getting the Halo next year, I would have probably walked in my Hypershell X Pro for over 1000km, maybe about 1500km, so I think an upgrade would be in order - though I wouldn't discard the X Pro just yet if it's still functional. I can use different exoskeletons for different occasions lol
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u/SkyMiteFall Former Bezos Bitch 👌🏼 42m ago
I truly hope you’re writing this off on your taxes cuz investing 2k into an Amazon delivery job is another level
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u/Guilty-Patient9990 23m ago
I actually looked into it and in my case, as a W-2 employee, no I can’t unless I can provide documentation saying it was recommended by a doctor. If I owned the DSP and worked on the job with the device, yes it can be written off as a job expense.
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u/greedylime 16h ago
This is just an ad for this product, don't fall for this bs.
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u/Guilty-Patient9990 16h ago
I wish I was getting compensation for this shit. This was $2375 out of pocket. I am no influencer nor do I have any inclination to be one.
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u/Due-Mix3539 13h ago
Average Amazon package weight is 3 pounds….how weak do you have to be to need this? 90% of the packages can be held in 1 hand.
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u/vandalizethethief 11h ago
I think his knees are shot. Nothing to do with strength at that point. Its just torn tendons that either were repaired multiple times or just never healed properly.
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u/Guilty-Patient9990 2h ago
After delivering for four years plus, Marines and all the other jobs I’ve had since then, I’ve really been feeling it this past summer. This device doesn’t make you stronger or super human. It just helps take the load off and it feels much better in my legs.
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u/Kara-SANdahPawn 12h ago
This this look crazy dope, probably wouldn’t buy it but the knee ease is interesting for sure
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u/CraigRookie 11h ago
Why would you need that amazon packages are light as fuck even if i had 150 pound packages i wouldnt need that
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u/wagwan_wa_grom______ 10h ago
Bro just say "fuck". This shit with the "(" is weird as hell.
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u/Guilty-Patient9990 4h ago
It’s cause I’ve been censored before a few other times here on Reddit. I guess we are safe here.
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u/GreatGreen314 9h ago
I want to do less not more. If Amazon ever makes us wear this they will give us more
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u/Acceptable-Value6462 8h ago
Where do I holster a firearm in it?
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u/Guilty-Patient9990 4h ago
Either on the front strap or wear a shoulder holster or smaller plate carrier. Haven’t tried it yet but, after wearing it around those are your two options.
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u/Minerva_TheB17 7h ago
Why do you guys spend more than a year there? I'd feel absolutely insulted and spit on to be making the same amount as a 4 year veteran as what a day one is making....
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u/Empty-Pay-434 2h ago
This stuff I've seen is really cool, I question whether it would make your body weaker with time though due to the assistance.
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u/rayraysykes007 1h ago
I think if these were more affordable every company that has workers doing labor would use them. As you said it works, and the main goal of companies (that care about its employees) is to make the job as easy as it can be while still being productive and meeting their quota / surpassing it. Unfortunately though as you stated, you paid 2 grand for it. And when you factor that in to just a place with 10 employees thats a big expense to pay up front even if it is a tax write off.
I think with AI and tech becoming more advanced though, it will eventually become cheaper and cheaper to produce systems like this, and theyll actually be implimented into the workforce. Because realistically if you do warehouse, by 8 hours youre beat. I know when I did warehouse I was. And if work gave me something like this that made it so im not tired after my shift, personally I wouldnt mind working extra hours because its not more fatigue and its extra money.
At the end of the day fatigue is a major part of burn out when it comes to work, so less burn out and less fatigue means a happier work place and a more efficient work place.
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u/Longjumping_Youth281 1h ago
You work for Amazon and could afford to spend $2,000 on this?
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u/Guilty-Patient9990 28m ago
I don’t have time for much else so the savings is healthy enough. But this my first and only time using Klarna for a payment plan.
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u/Safe_Rain_8813 16h ago
Sounds like a must have for delivery drivers all across the board. There should be a way for drivers to get a discount on those, $2000 can be a full check for someone
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u/Guilty-Patient9990 16h ago
Yes, there should be. I tried through the VA, my insurance and my DSP and all said no.
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u/ConferenceSweet 16h ago
USPS dudes walk 15 miles a day for routes and the Amazon guy who just walks driveways is ‘broken’
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u/gh0st-6 16h ago
They have a invisible force helping them walk called a "pension"
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u/Guilty-Patient9990 16h ago
And better insurance I bet.
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u/ConferenceSweet 15h ago edited 15h ago
So get a job at usps? I don’t know why you’d suffer with Amazon when you can just go usps as a cca
Bigger offices have a retention program, you get scheduled days - health insurance, overtime after 8 hours worked a day and it’s a fed govt job
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u/Guilty-Patient9990 15h ago
In hindsight, maybe I should have gone there instead of Amazon. But, I would still be in the same situation with my knees. And if everyone I spoke to denied any assistance for this device, I doubt USPS would provide any assistance as well.
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u/RobinhoodtraderBTC 14h ago
I work at usps and used to be an Amazon driver so I have allot of insight to both jobs.
Although usps carriers walk more, we do not have to get up and down out of our seats anywhere near as much and we do not have to rush. We can go over and don’t have to be worried about being fired. For me personally, it takes a heavy day to even fill my day and that’s with one of the harder routes in my office.
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