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Олександр КузьменкоRobots
10 November 2026, 10:45
2026-11-10
Exoskeletons in factories and 3D printing instead of robot dogs. DroneUA co-founder spoke about key trends in robotics
Valeriy Yakovenko, co-founder of DroneUA, a distributor of UAVs, robotics, and energy-independent systems, believes that exoskeletons will transform from futuristic gadgets into mandatory equipment for workers over the next three years. In his opinion, the real breakthrough in robotics will not come from the emergence of humanoids, but from local 3D printing and additive manufacturing of parts.
Valeriy Yakovenko, co-founder of DroneUA, a distributor of UAVs, robotics, and energy-independent systems, believes that exoskeletons will transform from futuristic gadgets into mandatory equipment for workers over the next three years. In his opinion, the real breakthrough in robotics will not come from the emergence of humanoids, but from local 3D printing and additive manufacturing of parts.
Valery Yakovenko told this in an interview with ITC.
According to him, despite the public's increased attention to humanoids or robot dogs, the greatest economic opportunities are hidden in technologies that allow components to be created faster, cheaper, and closer to the consumer.
Yakovenko paid special attention to labor automation and the use of exoskeletons. In his opinion, within the next three years, robotic human augmentation will become a significant competitive advantage for employers in industries with high physical workload.
The entrepreneur admits that he regularly tests almost all the technologies that DroneUA works with on himself. In particular, he spent several full working days with the device in the office and periodically uses it for long walks.
In addition to household and recreational use, exoskeletons are already demonstrating effectiveness in rehabilitation.
"Just yesterday, one of my colleagues returned the exoskeleton he used after hip replacement surgery. Of course, such use requires taking into account medical recommendations and individual limitations. But for me, this is another confirmation of how broad the practical scenarios for using such technologies can be," said Valeriy Yakovenko.
He believes that the concepts of replacing humans with robots (Replace Humans) and enhancing their capabilities (Enhance Humans) should develop in parallel. Robots should take over dangerous and monotonous work, while in areas where experience and decision-making are important, technology should assist humans.
Previously, DroneUA and Robotics Distribution officially brought the world's first commercially available exoskeleton, Hypershell, to Ukraine. It works on the basis of artificial intelligence and is designed to increase mobility, endurance, and physical strength.
Ukrainians have assembled in their homes and businesses the largest decentralized energy system in Europe with the capacity of the Southern Ukrainian NPP, — co-founder of DroneUA
“This is not a ‘gadget from the future.’ This is technology that should work for energy workers right now.” DroneUA brought the Hypershell exoskeleton to Ukraine, and predicts over 200,000 users of the device in the coming years
DroneUa на війні: Найбільша в Україні компанія з безпілотних технологій займається аеророзвідкою, шукає ворожі дрони, кинуту техніку, готує флот із 1700 безпілотників до посівної
Співзасновник компанії DroneUa Валерій Яковенко зараз перебуває на Західній Україні. Він із командою розташувався в офісі філії, яку компанія не встигла ще відкрити у мирний час.
