Navy Tests Unpowered Exoskeleton

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.

Comments

Snipers love it

[Anonymous Coward]

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.

Re:Snipers love it

[jeffmeden]

This is meant to be used inside bases. How many Americans have been killed by snipers while inside their bases recently?

Even more specifically, it seems ideal for someone working in/on the hull of a Navy ship where heavy welding, cutting/grinding, and riveting equipment is common. They tend not to build navy ships in conflict areas, and it seems like a very impractical device for combat zone use unless the weight it was intended for was body armor, making the sniper point moot yet again.

That's a pretty smart desing

[geekoid]

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

Looks familiar...

[MaWeiTao]

Conceptually, it seems similar to the kinds of rigs the movie industry uses to support cameras. I'm a bit surprised they haven't done this sooner considering I don't see anything here that's particularly exotic.

Steadicam

[camperdave]

It's a glorified Steadicam mount. Like the 'smart guns' carried by Vasquez and Drake in the movie Aliens. A spring loaded linkage connects the load to a body harness, but with added linkages that can transfer the weight of the harness to the ground.

Re:Steadicam

[gurps_npc]

True. But the majority of inventions are modified versions of existing things with improvements.

The value of slight changes can be VERY significant.

Think of the first guy to ever rifle a long gun. Long guns had grooves before, they were just not consistent. Making those grooves consistent and using ammo that expanded just enough to catch them made a HUGE difference.

The linkage to transfer the weight to the ground is just such a huge improvement. They had to design it special so that it bore the weight, but still let your heels touch the ground.

how does this work at all?

[goombah99]

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

Re:That counterbalance looks dangerous

[idontgno]

Use non-depleted uranium, and the suit could be powered!