Bionic legs give soldiers a boost

[Mr Grimsdale]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/3502194.stm

US researchers have developed strap-on robotic legs to allow people to carry heavy loads over long distances.
The Berkeley Lower Extremity Exoskeleton, or Bleex, is part of a US defence project designed to be used mainly by infantry soldiers.

The device consists of a pair of mechanical metal leg braces including a power unit and a backpack-like frame.

More than 40 sensors and hydraulic mechanisms calculate how to distribute weight just like the nervous system.

These helps minimise the load for the wearer.

A large rucksack carried on the back contains an engine, control system and space for a payload.

"There is no joystick, no keyboard, no push button to drive the device," said Homayoon Kazerooni, director of the Robotics and Human Engineering Laboratory at the University of California

Brace yourself

The Bleex exoskeleton has a small, purpose-built combustion engine built into it. On a full tank the system should be able to run for up to two hours.

The device's leg braces are attached to a modified pair of army boots and connected to the user's legs.

In the lab, subjects have walked around in the 45kg (100 lbs) exoskeleton plus a 31.5kg (70 lbs) backpack and reported that it felt like they were carrying little over 2kg (5 lbs).

"The design of this exoskeleton really benefits from human intellect and the strength of the machine," said Dr Kazerooni.

The project has been funded by the US Defence Advanced Research Projects Agency (Darpa).

But Dr Kazerooni thinks the exoskeleton could be used with equal success by firefighters.

"They're really good, it turns out, at enabling firefighters, soldiers, post-disaster rescue crews to carry heavy loads over great distances for hours," he said.

[Smilie-man'81]

I also read that America have developed a sonic weapon that sends out a high pitched sound wave, something like a babys scream, thats going to be used on suicide bombers and amgry mobs. Cant remember where i read it so i cant pull up the story.

[lew]

US researchers have developed strap-on robotic legs to allow people to carry heavy loads over long distances.
The Berkeley Lower Extremity Exoskeleton, or Bleex, is part of a US defence project designed to be used mainly by infantry soldiers.

We British have also come up with a tried and tested method of carrying heavy loads over long distances..... Its called physical training ...

More than 40 sensors and hydraulic mechanisms calculate how to distribute weight just like the nervous system.

Just more to go wrong when they’re out in the field...

The Bleex exoskeleton has a small, purpose-built combustion engine built into it. On a full tank the system should be able to run for up to two hours....... In the lab, subjects have walked around in the 45kg (100 lbs) exoskeleton plus a 31.5kg (70 lbs) backpack

That’s a hell of allot of weight to carry if the engine runs out of fuel and there is no where for them to fill up again...


As you may have guessed I’m not in favour of this contraction... anyone else seen the film terminator ...

lew

[Frank S.]

... Or "Robocop".
I can see applications for paraplegics, for instance, but fielding this contraption, I dunno...

[anglo-saxon]

CQ: Here you go, sunshine, here's yer new "watchstrap radio". "Automatic encode/decode, burst send/receive, multi-band oscillating frequency, secure text messaging, built-in GPS, and a 250 mile range.

Tom: What the wheelbarrow for, Colour?

CQ: The battery, lad!