First Military Exoskeleton Reaches Prototype

JonathanGCohen writes "The U.S. Military has created the first ever prototype for an exoskeleton to be worn by soldiers capable of making its 100 pound weight and a 70 pound supply package feel like five pounds." From the article: "Bleex 1 consists of a pair of hydraulically powered leg braces, more than 40 electronic sensors, a control computer, and an internal-combustion engine providing power from an attached backpack. The plastic and carbon-fiber braces are affixed rigidly to the soldier through a customized pair of standard Army boots, with more compliant and giving connections at the chest and waist. These looser connections prevent blisters and abrasions."

Comments

Re:Don't RTFA

[McGiraf]

err...this is not flamebait, click on the link then. you will see what i mean.

But at what price?

[therage96]

I'm sure its all well and good to be able to carry all that equipment without as much effort, but still, I question how seriously our army will be taken while looking as though all our soldier's have ghetto-booties? Then again, it worked for JLo.

Re:Bah.

[Anonymous Coward]

Dear Homo,

Please lose the anime smiley,

Many thanks,

AC

Re:that's great...

[Belseth]

that's great, but can it find Sarah Connor?

More to the point can it find Osama Bin Laden? It'd be nice if some one would look for the murdering SOB. Unless he makes the mistake of hidding in an oil field I'd say he's pretty safe right now.

15 minutes unplugged.

[twitter]

I imagine a device that can carry 70 lbs can pull considerably more on separate wheels. If you can't imagine an airlift, imagine a handtruck with a 55 gal fuel drum to get you where you need to be before you pull the plug. Fuel is just another logistics problem.