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Exoskeletons are powered suits that amplify human strength and speed, gaining attention from the military and robotics-oriented Asian countries. The first serious attempt to build one was in 1965, but recent advances have led to successful prototypes. Exoskeletons have potential applications in military and medical care, but face hurdles in improving power-to-weight ratios and battery life.
In robotics, an exoskeleton, also known as a powered exoskeleton, is a powered suit that is used to amplify human strength and/or speed. The concept has had extensive treatment in science fiction, but has only recently begun to gain real-world plausibility. The concept has gained the most attention from US military and robotics oriented Asian countries such as Japan and South Korea. As of 2009, exoskeletons have been built, but are not widely used. Nor are exoskeletons widely commercially available, but that may soon change. In 2008, a company, Cyberdyne of Japan, began leasing her clothes.
The first serious attempt to build a powered exoskeleton, conducted by General Electric in 1965, was called Hardiman. The intent behind the design was to create an exoskeleton that a person could use to lift 1500 pounds (680 kg), almost a ton. The project failed. Attempts to use the full exoskeleton have resulted in a violent, uncontrolled movement that would have ripped off a limb from the user. The suit itself weighed 1500 pounds (680 kg) and could only lift 750 pounds (340 kg) when it could move at all. The suit has never been turned on with a person in it.
Advances in creating practical exoskeletons didn’t occur until the early 2000s. During this time, decades of research by organizations like the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) finally paid off. Various groups have successfully built prototype motorized exoskeletons. Some currently existing (limited) exoskeletons include Cyberdyne’s HAL 5, Honda’s Exoskeleton Legs, MIT Media Lab Biomechatronics Group Legs, and Sarcos/Raytheon’s XOS Exoskeleton. The specifications of these suits vary and some have not been released. The HAL 5 (Hybrid Assistive Limb) is marketed as being able to increase the user’s lifting capacity fivefold.
Two major applications of exoskeletons would be in military and medical care. For the military, powered exoskeletons would allow soldiers to carry heavier weapons and more tools and ammunition. The concept of a powered exoskeleton is a central theme in the US Army’s vision for a next-generation military. In January 2007, it was reported that the Pentagon had donated funds to University of Texas nanotechnologist Ray Baughman to develop myomeric fibers as “muscle” for powered exoskeletons. For medical care, researchers from several universities in Japan have designed soft exoskeletons designed to help healthcare workers carry the old or infirm. Hence, exoskeletons could have applications in both war and peace.
However, there are several major hurdles in developing effective exoskeletons. The bigger ones are improving power-to-weight ratios (which could be helped by the use of fibers instead of conventional mechatronics) and battery life.
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