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Powered exoskeleton

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U.S. Army conceptual mock-up of an exoskeleton-equipped soldier.

A powered exoskeleton is a powered mobile machine consisting primarily of an exoskeleton-like framework worn by a person and a power supply that supplies at least part of the activation-energy for limb movement.

Powered exoskeletons are designed to assist and protect the wearer. They may be designed, for example, to assist and protect soldiers and construction workers, or to aid the survival of people in other dangerous environments. A wide medical market exists in the future as prosthetics to provide mobility assistance for aged and infirm people. Other possibilities include rescue work, such as in collapsed buildings, in which the device might allow a rescue worker to lift heavy debris, while simultaneously protecting him from falling rubble.

The first exoskeleton was co-developed by General Electric and the United States military in the 1960s, named Hardiman, which made lifting 250 pounds (115 kg) feel like lifting 10 pounds. It was impractical due to its 1,500 pound (680 kg) weight.[1]

Working examples of powered exoskeletons have been constructed but are not currently widely deployed [2]. Various problems remain to be solved, including suitable power-supply.

Many variations of exoskeletons can be found in science fiction and gaming. It was first popularized in Robert A. Heinlein's 1959 novel Starship Troopers as powered armor used by the Mobile Infantry. Other popular examples include the Fallout, Halo, Space Marine and Warmachine Man O War Power Armor types.

Research

Los Alamos Laboratories worked on an exoskeleton project in the 1960s called Project Pitman. In 1986, an exoskeleton prototype called the LIFESUIT was created by Monty Reed, a US Army Ranger who had broken his back in a parachute accident.[3] While recovering in the hospital, he read Robert Heinlein's Starship Troopers and from Heinlein's description of Mobile Infantry Power Suits, he designed the LIFESUIT, and wrote letters to the military about his plans for the LIFESUIT. In 2001 LIFESUIT One (LSI) was built. In 2003 LS6 was able to record and play back a human gait. In 2005 LS12 was worn in a foot race known as the Saint Patrick's' Day Dash in Seattle, Washington. Monty Reed and LIFESUIT XII set the Land Speed Distance Record for walking in robot suits. LS12 completed the 3-mile race in 90 minutes. The current LIFESUIT prototype 14 can walk one mile on a full charge and lift 92 kg (203 lbs) for the wearer.[citation needed]

One of the proposed main uses for an exoskeleton would be enabling a soldier to carry heavy objects (80–300 kg) while running or climbing stairs. Not only could a soldier potentially carry more weight, he could presumably wield heavier armor and weapons. Most models use a hydraulic system controlled by an on-board computer. They could be powered by an internal combustion engine, batteries or, potentially, fuel cells. Another area of application could be medical care, nursing in particular. Faced with the impending shortage of medical professionals and the increasing number of people in elderly care, several teams of Japanese engineers have developed exoskeletons designed to help nurses lift and carry patients.

In January 2007, Newsweek magazine reported that the Pentagon had granted development funds to The University of Texas at Dallas' nanotechnologist Ray Baughman to develop military-grade artificial myomer fibers. These electrically-contractive fibers are intended to increase the strength-to-weight ratio of movement systems in military powered armor.[4]

A Hybrid Assistive Limb powered exoskeleton suit, currently in development.

Exoskeletons could also be applied in the area of rehabilitation of stroke or SCI patients. Such exoskeletons are sometimes also called Step Rehabilitation Robots. An exo-skeleton could reduce the number of therapists needed by allowing even the most impaired patient to be trained by one therapist, whereas several are currently needed. Also training could be more uniform, easier to analyze retrospectively and can be specifically customized for each patient. At this time there are several projects designing training aids for rehabilitations centers (LOPES exoskeleton, LOKOMAT, ALTACRO and the gait trainer, Hal 5.)

Exoskeletons could also be regarded as wearable robots: A wearable robot is a mechatronic system that is designed around the shape and function of the human body, with segments and joints corresponding to those of the person it is externally coupled with. Teleoperation and power amplification were said to be the first applications, but after recent technological advances the range of application fields is said to have widened. Increasing recognition from the scientific community means that this technology is now employed in telemanipulation, man-amplification, neuromotor control research and rehabilitation, and to assist with impaired human motor control (Wearable Robots: Biomechatronic Exoskeletons[5]).

Current exoskeletons

  • UC Berkeley/Lockheed Martin HULC legs, the primary competitor to Sarcos/Raytheon. Allows the user to carry up to 200 lbs on a backpack attached to the exoskeleton independent of the user.[6]
  • Cyberdyne's HAL 5 arms/legs. Allows the wearer to lift 5 times as much as they normally could.[7]
  • Honda Exoskeleton Legs. Weighs 14.3 lbs and features a seat for the wearer. [8]
  • M.I.T. Media Lab's Biomechatronics Group legs. Weighs 11.7 kilograms (26 lbs).[9]
  • Sarcos/Raytheon XOS Exoskeleton arms/legs. For use in the military and to "replace the wheelchair", weighs 150 lbs and allows the wearer to lift 200 lbs with little or no effort.[10]

See also

References

  1. ^ Exoskeleton
  2. ^ "BLEEX Project". Retrieved 2008-10-15.
  3. ^ TheyShallWalk.org
  4. ^ http://www.spiegel.de/international/0%2C1518%2C459381%2C00.html
  5. ^ Pons, J.L. "Wearable Robots: Biomechatronic Exoskeletons". Retrieved 2008-02-10.
  6. ^ Lockheed Unleashes 'HULC' Super-Strength Gear
  7. ^ "Real-Life Iron Man: A Robotic Suit That Magnifies Human Strength", April 30, 2008, by Larry Greenemeier, Scientific American
  8. ^ "Trouble walking? Try Honda's new exoskeleton legs", November 10, 2008 by Larry Greenemeier, Scientific American.
  9. ^ "The Future of Exoskeletons: Lighter Loads, Limbs and More" by Larry Greenemeier, Scientific American, September 21, 2007
  10. ^ http://www.popsci.com/scitech/article/2008-04/building-real-iron-man?page=4 Building the Real Iron Man
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