Sarcos Robotics Named to TIME’s List of 100 Best Inventions of 2020 for its Guardian XO Full-Body, Powered Industrial Exoskeleton

World’s first full-body, battery-powered wearable robot selected as a winner in the Productivity category

SALT LAKE CITY--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sarcos Robotics, a global leader in the production of robots that augment humans to enhance productivity and safety, today announced that its Guardian^® XO^® industrial exoskeleton—the world’s first full-body, battery-powered wearable industrial robot designed to increase strength and endurance—has been chosen by TIME as one of the 100 Best Inventions of 2020. The Guardian XO exoskeleton was selected for this prestigious annual list in the Productivity category, among three other products designed to streamline the way we work. An earlier hydraulically-powered prototype version of the Guardian XO exoskeleton, the XOS 2, was also named to TIME’s Best Inventions of 2010 list.

The award winners, which will be included in the November 30/December 7 print issue of TIME, were chosen among nominations from the publication’s editors and correspondents around the world, as well as through an online application process. Judges evaluated entries based on several factors, including originality, effectiveness, ambition, and impact. The results included a list of winners ranging from a smarter beehive to a greener tube of toothpaste to the technology that could catalyze a COVID-19 vaccine.

The Guardian XO exoskeleton, which has been under development for more than 20 years, can safely lift up to 200 pounds for extended work sessions and is applicable to a myriad of industries, such as aviation, manufacturing, warehousing and logistics, oil & gas, construction, defense, and others. The Guardian XO exoskeleton is designed to significantly increase the wearer's strength and endurance while eliminating strain and fatigue on the body. An Alpha version of the Guardian XO exoskeleton was first publicly unveiled at the 2020 Consumer Electronics Show in January through a partnership with Delta Air Lines and received many top honors, including being named “Top Emerging Technology” by Digital Trends, “Best Robot” by PCMag.com, “The Best Ideas and Products of CES” by VentureBeat and was recognized by WIRED Magazine as being one of the smartest technologies on the show floor. The Guardian XO exoskeleton is expected to be commercially available in 2021.

“We are thrilled and honored to be recognized by TIME once again in their esteemed annual Best Inventions list,” said Ben Wolff, chairman and CEO, Sarcos Robotics. “As we approach the commercial availability of our Guardian XO industrial exoskeleton robot, being chosen for this award provides further validation of our product and its potential to revolutionize the workforce by reducing occupational injuries and addressing labor shortages worldwide.”

To see the complete list of winners, visit https://time.com/collection/best-inventions-2020/

To view the international cover of TIME featuring the 100 Best Inventions of 2020, visit: bit.ly/3lJM8ss

For more information on Sarcos and its product lineup, visit https://www.sarcos.com

ABOUT SARCOS ROBOTICS

Sarcos Robotics is the world leader in industrial robotic systems that augment human performance by combining human intelligence, instinct, and judgment with the strength, endurance, and precision of machines to enhance employee safety and productivity. Leveraging more than 25 years of research and development, Sarcos’ mobile robotic systems, including the Guardian^® S, Guardian^® GT, and Guardian^® XO^®, are revolutionizing the future of work wherever physically demanding work is done. Formerly the robotics division of a major defense contractor, Sarcos is based in Salt Lake City, Utah, powered by an innovative team of entrepreneurs and engineers, and backed by Caterpillar, GE Ventures, Microsoft, and Schlumberger. For more information, please visit www.sarcos.com.