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The Effort To Create an 'Iron Man' Type Exoskeleton

Posted by samzenpus on from the hulkbuster-armor dept.

Nerval's Lobster writes: Tony Stark, as played by Robert Downey, Jr., is the epitome of suave wit—but without his metal shell, he's just another engineer who's made good. The exoskeleton is a technology platform that, while young, is gaining traction in industrial, medical and military circles. For several years, the U.S. Special Operations Command has been working on a Tactical Assault Light Operator Suit, or "TALOS," that would provide "provide [infantry with] comprehensive ballistic protection and peerless tactical capability," in the words of Gen. Joseph Votel, SOCOM's commander. Meanwhile, several companies—including Raytheon, Ekso Bionics and US Bionics—are working on products that could help the disabled become more mobile, or allow warehouse and other workers to handle physical tasks with greater efficiency and safety. That means people who specialize in robotics, artificial intelligence, and other areas have an increasing opportunity to get involved. According to Homayoon Kazerooni, president of Berkeley-based US Bionics and a professor of mechanical engineering at UC Berkeley, control and software engineers are the leads in developing these next-generation products. Although he can't estimate the ultimate size of the market for these intelligent exoskeletons, Kazerooni describes the industry as "fast-growing, but infant," with "very diverse uses" for the suits. Just don't expect the aforementioned suits to allow you to fly or blow anything up anytime soon.

3 of 52 comments (clear)

  1. "he's just another engineer who's made good?" by Nova+Express · · Score: 5, Informative

    No, without his suit, Tony Stark is a "Genius Billionaire Playboy Philanthropist."

    Do I have to explain the simplest things to you people?

    --
    Lawrence Person (lawrencepersonh@gmailh.com (remove all "h"s to mail)

    http://www.lawrenceperson.com/

  2. Re:The Talos Principle by flink · · Score: 3, Informative

    For several years, the U.S. Special Operations Command has been working on a Tactical Assault Light Operator Suit, or "TALOS,"

    "Talos"? Now the SOC is just trolling us.

    Talos in Greek mythology was an animated bronze colossus who was charged with guarding Europa, so it seems appropriate in this context. You see it pop up a lot in fiction and when naming programs that deal with anthropomorphic robots, particularly military ones.

  3. Re:Energy by sexconker · · Score: 3, Informative

    For those who don't believe you, see eggs.