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World’s first ‘bionic knee brace’ returns energy to your joints to boost leg strength

What if medical braces weren’t just cumbersome accessories for painful injuries? Hardcore athletes know that joint braces can protect the most vulnerable mechanics of their bodies, even preventing injury altogether. Spring Loaded Technology aims to do just that with a new device called Levitation, which bills itself as the world’s first truly bionic knee brace. Levitation stores and returns energy to the knee to boost strength, reduce fatigue, and enhance performance.

The mechanical hinge is the most important part of the bionic Levitation brace. Energy is stored in the hinge itself when the knee bends, and is then released in customizable increments when the knee is straightened. By supporting motion and strength in the knee, Levitation reduces compression in the joint and increases both performance and endurance. Levitation also assists muscle function in quadriceps for a boost in strength and mobility.

Spring Loaded Knee Braces: Enhancing Strength and Mobility

Spring Loaded Technology has been working on their bionic brace for the past three years. “What we are really doing is making highly advanced exoskeleton technology, that was once inaccessible to the consumer market, readily available,” said Chris Cowper-Smith, award-winning scientist and CEO of Spring Loaded Technology. The company believes the Levitation brace will be suitable for professional athletes in any sport, particularly in high-impact activities where joints take the hit. Skiiers, for example, will be able to use the brace to focus on form and technique while on the slopes.

Beyond professional athletics, Spring Loaded Technology hopes Levitation will also become useful for individuals with knee injuries in any profession. The bionic brace can help those with specific knee injuries, or osteoarthritis sufferers with bone and joint issues more generally. As a physical therapy device, Levitation could help those with movement disabilities or injuries that require ongoing training for full recovery. Levitation is expected to cost about $2,000, which places it in the same price range as non-bionic medical knee braces.

Chloe Olewitz
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Chloe is a writer from New York with a passion for technology, travel, and playing devil's advocate. You can find out more…
Cadillac offers first glimpse of upcoming Optiq-V performance EV
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The Optiq-V builds on the foundation of the standard Optiq, Cadillac’s compact electric SUV introduced for the 2025 model year. According to the automaker, this V-Series version will feature a more dynamic driving experience, with enhancements to steering, suspension, and overall agility. While technical details remain limited, Cadillac’s press release emphasizes that the Optiq-V was engineered for “precision” and an “exhilarating” feel behind the wheel.
Reports from CarScoops suggest the Optiq-V could produce up to 515 horsepower through a dual-motor all-wheel-drive system, significantly surpassing the 300 horsepower of the base model. Teaser images reveal a diamond-pattern mesh grille, V-Series badging, and a rear spoiler — all nods to its performance orientation. Photos also hint at additional visual updates, such as redesigned bumpers, 21-inch wheels, and larger brakes.
The base Optiq, reviewed recently by Digital Trends, is positioned as Cadillac’s entry-level EV and shares its underpinnings with the Chevrolet Equinox EV. Despite that connection, the Optiq features premium materials, a curved 33-inch display, Google built-in tech, and standard dual-motor all-wheel drive. While the review noted some drawbacks in steering feel and performance tuning, it praised the vehicle's cabin quality and overall comfort.
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With the addition of the Optiq-V, Cadillac continues expanding its electric lineup while reinforcing its V-Series as a key part of its identity — now in the EV era.

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According to a memo sent to U.S. dealers and reported by Automotive News, Nissan is able to hold prices steady thanks to a stockpile of tariff-free vehicles—enough to last nearly three months. But once that inventory runs dry? Prices are likely heading north. Nissan’s U.S. sales chief Vinay Shahani assured dealers that the company is working to "minimize the impact" of tariffs on customers, but he was also frank: “There will be an impact.”
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