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Navy Tests Unpowered Exoskeleton

Posted by timothy on from the not-for-body-surfing dept.

gurps_npc (621217) writes "CNN has a very interesting article about an unpowered exoskeleton system called Fortis. Unlike the more famous TALOS system, this exoskeleton uses zero electricity, so it does not need batteries or an extension cord. Power requirements have always been the problem with powered exoskeletons, as batteries are heavy. The system is made out of lightweight aluminum and heavy tools connect directly to it. The weight of the tools is supported by the exoskeleton, so your arms, back and legs don't have to carry it. You only need to use muscle to move the tool, not simply carry it. The exoskeleton does not make you stronger. Instead it effectively increases your stamina by relieving fatigue caused by carrying the heavy tool.

4 of 79 comments (clear)

  1. Balance by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Sounds interesting, but I'd be concerned about keeping balance while carrying dangerous equipment; the body's micro-adjustments would surely be diluted by the external weight, sort of like being on stilts.

  2. Snipers love it by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Interesting

    A friend of mine worked as a mercenary in Bosnia and he is a sniper.
    He said anyone carrying heavy equipment is a priority. Looks like you
    put that thing on someone up on that hill already has a bullet chambered
    with your name on it.

  3. That's a pretty smart desing by geekoid · · Score: 3, Interesting

    I like it. I would have loved to have something like that back when I hung drywall.

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  4. how does this work at all? by goombah99 · · Score: 3, Interesting

    How does this work. They show a guy with a grinder mvong it around on a wall up near his head. Now how did he get into that position and how is he able to move the grinder around. If all the joints are loose then they offer no support. If they are tight then he can't move. And if he selectively locks the myriad number of joind it will be a confusing puzzle to get the the right set locked to support weight along some axis but not others. Does this mean all grinding must be back and forth and not up and down? if you are grinding along a verical edge how do you avoid repeately lifting this.You would be lifting both the weight of the grinder and the weight of the fortis frame every time.

    the frame looks heavy including a cantaleivered weight in the back. SO it seems like its adding a lot of weight. How does it manage to carry it's own weight as you move. Or are you repeately lifting this when you bend over or walk somewhere.?

    very puzzling how this works

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