Wearable robotics can enable the disabled

Physical therapist Erin Edenfield, left, uses a mirror to aid Vikki McFarland, a study participant, in walking, wearing a Ekso wearable robotic device at TIRR Memorial Hermann. Taimoor Afzal, right, is assisting. less Physical therapist Erin Edenfield, left, uses a mirror to aid Vikki McFarland, a study participant, in walking, wearing a Ekso wearable robotic device at TIRR Memorial Hermann. Taimoor Afzal, right, is ... more Photo: Gary Fountain, For The Chronicle/Gary Fountain Photo: Gary Fountain, For The Chronicle/Gary Fountain Image 1 of / 6 Caption Close Wearable robotics can enable the disabled 1 / 6 Back to Gallery

Wearable robotics are assisting people to strengthen their muscles, enhance their mobility and avoid dystrophy.

This week, the International Symposium on Wearable and Rehabilitation Robotics is in Houston – the first time it has been held in the U.S.

Dr. Gerard Francisco, chief medical officer for TIRR Memorial Hermann and professor of rehabilitation at UTHealth, put in the bid for TIRR Memorial Hermann to host the symposium.

RELATED: New app to help Texans send money to family friends in Mexico

The event has historically been more focused on engineers than clinicians, and he hopes this year's event can help bridge that gap.

TIRR Memorial Hermann's NeuroRecovery Research Center has four exoskeleton devices used by patients or study participants. One of its devices, the Indego, is among the technologies that will be featured at the symposium Monday afternoon.