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US Army Furthers Development of Robotic Suits

An anonymous reader writes "The BBC reports on advancements in the US military's robotic exoskeleton program. It's being spearheaded by Sarcos, a research laboratory in Utah. The firm has designed the XOS exoskeleton for US Army use, a lightweight frame that gives the user greater strength and endurance. 'With the exoskeleton on and fully powered up, Rex can easily pull down weight of more than 90 kilos, more than he weighs. For the army the XOS could mean quicker supply lines, or fewer injuries when soldiers need to lift heavy weights or move objects around repeatedly. Initial models would be used as workhorses, on the logistics side. Later models, the army hopes, could go into combat, carrying heavier weapons, or even wounded colleagues.'"

3 of 233 comments (clear)

  1. Popsci by howjan · · Score: 5, Informative

    There was an article in this month's Popular Science about suits like this. If this kind of thing trips your trigger that article is worth a read.

  2. Re:No Iron Man tag? by dkleinsc · · Score: 3, Informative

    Here I was thinking this was intended for the Mobile Infantry. Go get 'em, Juan Rico.

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  3. Re:No Iron Man tag? by Cjstone · · Score: 3, Informative

    Stay on the bounce, ape.

    Heinlein was either able to accurately predict the future of the military, or he directly inspired it. In fact, a Marine Corps general stated that the corps' future equipment and organization needed to emulate the Mobile Infantry from Starship Troopers.