Powered Exoskeletons In The Near Future?

PhReaKyDMoNKeY writes "Discover Magazine's latest issue has a story about powered exoskeletons and how they aren't terribly far off. Sounds pretty damn cool, except maybe for the centaur flatbed model. Screw a Segway, gimme one of these babies."

Comments

personnel-sized armored fighting units would

[StandardDeviant]

absolutely revolutionize the tactical structure of the armies posessing them. For example, if every footsoldier has the survivability of a light APC and the punch of one as well due to the increased load bearing capacity, this obviously lends a serious edge to that army. The consequences go deeper than that, as well. Becuase of increased complexity, more staff will be needed for support, and increased soldier skill will be needed. This dovetails exactly with the shift from large standing armies composed of recruits (think WW2 america or the chinese army of today) to small, highly trained special operations units (which in combination with advanced air support, are devastation incarnate, as proved in Afghanistan today).

Vaporware (wear)?

[AnalogBoy]

1964: Government sponsored Hardiman project. I remember reading about this in a robots book in 1997.

Link to howstuffworks

I still want a veritech fighter. I'd go to war in one of those.

Read, enjoy!

fear and loathing

[Ghoser777]

the same was said for nuclear technology, how it's only purpose is destructive (although it's medical and power usefuls are quite helpful). any technology can be used negatively, it's only a matter if we create safe gaurds against abuse. i could see these becoming very useful for fire fighters running into burning buildings (or collapsing trade centers for that matter).

F-bacher

Why wait?

[FastT]

Forget SpringWalker and these other technologies that aren't available yet--you can get a pair of PowerSkip boots today. These were posted on Slashdot last April 1st, and many people thought they were a joke; they aren't, and you can be out running around in them and jumping cars for around $800-1000.

Re:Would this really be useful?

[Tattva]

The almost mythical ferocity of the modern american army is demoralizing enough--imagine if the *common soldiers* were tougher as well!

US regular infantry is tougher as well. You don't have to be an expert to realize that American soldiers will have a vastly superior kill ratio to most other nations in identical circumstances. Just look at the photos of the gear that servicemen are using over in Afghanistan, they have night vision, kevlar body armor, superior command and control, superior tactics, superior weaponry, obviously superior support, and more advantages that explain why a lot more Taliban have died than Americans. You have to be the superior force to engage an enemy on his own turf, and that is the role the US army has been designed to play.