Exoskeletons in IEEE Spectrum

Rob the Bold writes "October IEEE Spectrum magazine (print and online) reports on worldwide developments in exoskeleton technology. Applications include mobility for the disabled, increased lifting power for cargo loaders and nurses, and faster running capability. Developments in the US, Europe and Asia are reviewed." From the article: "Today, in Japan and the United States, engineers are finally putting some practical exoskeletons through their paces outside of laboratories. But don't look for these remarkable new systems to bust bricks or spew lightning. The very first commercially available exoskeleton, scheduled to hit the market in Japan next month, is designed to help elderly and disabled people walk, climb stairs, and carry things around. Built by Cyberdyne Inc., in Tsukuba, Japan, this exoskeleton, called HAL-5, will cost about 1.5 million yen (around US $13 800)."

Comments

WIll lower the costs

[WindBourne]

These devices will end up in warehouses for moving heavy cargo. Sure you can use a forklift, but these will probably cost a fraction of one and be able to pick up ~ 1/4 the weight. That is the space where 1-2 men carry things around, and get bad backs all the time.

Re:WIll lower the costs

[jacksonj04]

Probably, unless (and this is going out on a limb here) the floor of the warehouse has 'sockets' at regular intervals into which the feet of a PExS can fit. An ideal location would be loading bays, so that forklifts or other warehouse systems can move crates to the bay, then a human with his exoskeleton attached to the floor would have a solid base to move objects from, as well as finer control offered by the fact he is within the suit himself.

Either that or big electromagnets in the feet. Alternatively they could all make like clowns and have oversized feet.

Starting to get there

[Sooner Boomer]

As I've mentioned in previous /. postings, I did work on powered prosthetics back in the mid-late 70's. The two big holdbacks were power and feedback control. They seem to be making progress with the development of nickel-metal hydyide and lithium battery packs. Feedback: kinesthetics (the intuative ability to know where your body parts are), and balance will continue to be challanges. It takes a human being up to several years to be able to walk. Even longer to develop agility for complex tasks such as throwing a ball. Perhaps self-modifying programs capable of "learning", so-called genetic algorythms would be helpfull. Development of robots like Honda's Asimo face similar developmental problems and great progress has been made.

Re:Starting to get there

[Darkman, Walkin Dude]

(the intuative ability to know where your body parts are)

Well when you think about it, a car is just an exoskeleton really, and we can manage to drive them around without too much trouble. I doubt maneuvering a real exo around will be any more difficult than wearing a coat two sizes too large...

Good Call

[clark625]

I tend to agree with you on this one. I'm not about to say that an exoskeleton wouldn't be cool, or even handy. It's long been a desire for humans to lift/carry more weight for longer distances, etc.

Anyway, this particular system wouldn't support a person without control over their lower limbs. For one, the weight distribution for the person is all at the waist and upper thighs. If we were to say that the handicapped individual is extremely light at a mere 80lbs, he or she still would be too heavy to hold vertical for extended periods of time via the waist and upper thighs. I don't even want to imagine how torn up the skin would get. Heck, an improperly configured rucksack of just 50lbs on my back for just a couple of hours will give me two deep wounds about 2"x6" and they will be sore for over a week. And they want to hold a person up, supported, without any weight being supported by the obvious candidate: the butt. Of course, that's why wheelchairs are so effective.

As for the other application, such as holding increased weight... well, this one is actually a little more practical, but it's got a bunch more problems--and the same thing keeps cropping up: how do you get all that added weight to be distributed AROUND the body instead of through it via the person's bones and muscles? Truth is, it's really difficult. It's especially difficult when the person goes to lift--the motors, joints, and structure has to be "thinking" ahead of the person and move into the proper load-bearing position without throwing itself and the person off-balance. Impossible? No. Current reality? Doubtful.

If this particular skeleton supports extra weight at all, I would suspect the joints are all similar to my folding latter's joints that can lock into place and become very rigid. Then, just get the weight into a supported position (by lifting it up yourself), and then the skeleton can be locked in to give you rest. Balance is handled by the person. Add some flash for potential venture capitalists, and you're done. Too easy.

And by the way.... just where is/are the battery(ies)? Nevermind, this thing's got perpetual motion installed, I'm sure.