Ekso Bionics Holdings Inc (EKSO)

[Bobby Marinov]

Apple vs Ekso Bionics

I had a thought a few days ago about comparing not Apple to Ekso Bionics but the ground/reality in which both companies started in.

When Apple entered the business of personal computing, computers were around and IN USE already for quite some time. Let us pick the RCA Model 501 from 1958 as the first large run commercial computer. (http://www.computerhistory.org/timeline/computers/) The Apple II was introduced in 1977, (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_Inc.) that is almost 20 years AFTER computer technology was already commercially viable.

In other words, Apple Computers entered the computer field when it was already well developed. There was terminology, standards, successful commercial companies, and even local college and school clubs (fun fact, in 1999-2001 I was the president of the High School Computer Club originally founded by Steve Wozniak).

Now compare that fertile ground to where Ekso Bionics is now. There is still no defined terminology, standards, clubs, how to measure effectiveness, or even basic knowledge by the media how to cover powered exoskeleton stories. Ekso Bionics is making the right moves, but I think everyone underestimated the importance of having these secondary conditions.

I have never read a market article that mentions the need for standards, school clubs or the likes, but now it seems to me that all these are more important than I ever thought.