New Mexico ‘Robocop’ walks again thanks to exoskeleton suit

WATCH ABOVE: Paralyzed New Mexico police officer Jeremy Romero walks for the first time in nearly a year using a specific type of robotic exoskeleton made by a company called Rewalk

A paralyzed New Mexico police officer is getting the chance to walk again using a wearable robotic exoskeleton.

Jeremy Romero is the first injured police officer in the United States to use the exoskeleton suit.

It’s made by a Texas company called ReWalk, and gained FDA approval last year. There are only a few dozen of the suits across the U.S.

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The suit has four motors and works with a series of sensors. The suit provides powered hip and knee motion to allow people with spinal cord injuries to walk again.

Insurance will cover the cost of Romero’s suit, at around USD$71,000.

Romero sustained his injuries while on the job in January 2014. He was in pursuit of a stolen vehicle when his cruiser hit a pole and then a wall.

“It’s both exhausting physically and mentally,” said Romero, but the pain is worth it. “Just the fact that I’m upright, walking.”

Romero said it’s the little things, like being able to go for a walk with his son, that he most looks forward to.

“Just thinking of… the simple things in life.”