Somanity, the French Riviera start-up 3D-printing exoskeletons

Founded in 2023 by Mathieu Mérian, then a student at SKEMA, the start-up designs ergonomic, adaptable exoskeletons with support from the European Space Agency.

Easing exertion and preventing injuries: exoskeletons, structures worn on the body to assist movement, are gradually moving out of the laboratory. On the French Riviera, Somanity wants to make them more accessible by 3D-printing them and tailoring them to each user.

The company was founded in 2023 by Mathieu Mérian, who has run it since August of that year. He developed the project while a student on the Global BBA programme at SKEMA Business School, whose incubator, SKEMA Ventures, is supporting the start-up.

Somanity has also received support from the European Space Agency and the Incubateur Provence Côte d'Azur, according to Côte Magazine. Its founder relies on around ten young staff and is looking to recruit experienced engineers, with the aim of bringing a new prototype to market in 2025.

The bet on 3D printing is to produce lighter devices, made on demand and fitted to each individual's body shape.