Project NORA · Never Out of Resources Available
Lower-back support that never runs out of power.
A lightweight passive exoskeleton for mountaineers, hikers and search-and-rescue teams. No batteries, no motors, no electronics. Just continuous lumbar support that keeps working in cold, wet and rough terrain.
Why passive?
No batteries, motors or electronics
Nothing to charge and nothing to fail. NORA works from the moment you put it on, with no field maintenance.
Built for the conditions
Designed to keep working in extreme cold, mud, water and rugged terrain, where powered kit struggles.
Moves with you
Tension mechanics capture energy as you move and help you back upright, while the frame carries load down through your hips.
Project NORA · Passive lumbar support
Where NORA works for you
Hover over the bodyTap the body, or pick an area, to see how each part of the exoskeleton shares the load. No motors, no batteries.
Built for people who can't afford to stop
Whether you're on a narrow ridgeline or on a long casualty evacuation, NORA adapts to how your body naturally moves.
Mountain rescue
Long carries and casualty evacuations over steep, broken ground, when fatigue costs time.
Mountaineers and hikers
Heavy packs and long days on the hill, with less strain on your lower back by the end of them.
Outdoor professionals
Guides, rangers and field teams who carry for a living and need kit that doesn't need charging.
Working in defence or field operations? Talk to us about NORA for your team.
From the field
“I ended up borrowing this unit from my 6'4" friend for a hiking and climbing trip. Even though it was noticeably oversized for me, I was amazed that it still provided incredible support on the trails! The integrated hydration pack is an absolute lifesaver and super convenient. My only suggestion for the next version would be to add some reflective piping or high-vis materials—it would give peace of mind knowing you'd be visible to mountain rescue if things went wrong.”
Where NORA is today
Follow development updates →- DONE
Design and structural simulation
Segmented spine modelled and load-tested in simulation.
- IN PROGRESS
Field evaluations
Real-world trials with select mountain rescue teams and outdoor professionals.
- IN PROGRESS
Lab-based ASTM compliance testing
Testing against recognised exoskeleton standards.
- NEXT
Muscle-activity validation
Measuring how much NORA reduces lower-back muscle effort.
Technical whitepaper
Curious how NORA is engineered?
Read the full technical whitepaper, free with a subscription to development updates.
Get the whitepaper →Demonstrations
Try NORA with your team
NORA is available for demonstration with select mountain rescue teams and outdoor professionals.
Contact Viking Exos