Exoskeletons increase human strength, increase productivity and restore lost abilities. They help people with disabilities, facilitate work in industry and improve the army.
What is an exoskeleton?
In the literal translation from Greek, the exoskeleton is an external skeleton. Automatic design that restores lost or enhances existing body functions.
It consists of a sturdy frame and drives that are responsible for the movement. Such systems duplicate the work of the musculoskeletal system, calculate the efforts and safety of movements.
Exoskeletons are made passive and active. The former do not increase strength and do not take physical exercise upon themselves, but distribute it throughout the body. Active models have their emphasis on the ground. They take part of the burden on themselves. So the user lifts more weights – the effect of increasing strength is obtained.
First exoskeletons
Ideas for a costume that enhances ability originated in fiction. The principles on this subject were formulated by Russian-American mechanical engineer Nikolai Yagn. True, the matter did not go further than theory. The only embodied idea is an automatic device that delivers water to steam boilers – “The Stoker Friend”.
The first exoskeleton was made at the Pentagon. He called himself – Hardiman. It was a machine with a large manipulator, in which it was necessary to insert a hand for control. Its carrying capacity was 110 kg, but Hardiman did not bring serious benefits. He was too big and heavy (680 kg).
Since the 1980s, promising projects have appeared. In the 1990s, production began in different countries. Costumes were still clumsy, but were getting closer to being used in life..
Now most exoskeletons are done for medicine, the army or industry.
Exoskeletons for the disabled
Ekso GT
Exoskeleton for rehabilitation after stroke and spinal cord injuries. The Ekso GT is a pair of robotic legs with crutches for walking. Firmware collects statistics about how much energy is spent on each movement of the robot, and what actions a person performs.
Hybrid Assistive Limb (HAL)
There is for legs (HAL 3) or for arms-legs-torso (HAL 5). Helps to lift the load 5 times more than a person can. It is necessary for the rehabilitation of the paralyzed. The drives of this exosuit work from muscle impulses. In addition to people with health problems, HAL is useful for the elderly, builders, workers of the Ministry of Emergencies.
Rex
Skeleton for people with leg dysfunction. It helps to walk, get up, sit down, climb stairs, move backward and even make a “moon walk”. The user controls it from the control panel and joystick.
REX can remove the complications associated with a long stay in a wheelchair.
Phoenix
Exosuit for free walking with paralysis of the legs. It is very different from the bulky models of the last decade in size and weight (12 kg). This is possible due to the use of only two drives on the hips. Knees are held in position by tension systems.
eLegs
Exoskeleton for people with paralysis or impaired leg function. Weight – 20 kg. Suitable for a person with a height of 157-193 cm. Movement speed – about 3 km / h.
The suit predicts actions due to tilt sensors, for example, helps to get up from a wheelchair when the user leans forward and leans on crutches.
Rewalk
Bionic exosuit for patients with leg paralysis. He helps to stand, walk, walk up the stairs. Management is carried out through the remote control in hand.
Military exoskeletons
Ministries of defense and military research institutes from different countries have been trying since the last century to develop an easy, simple and durable system for soldiers.
In the Pentagon, this is done by the DARPA Advanced Development Agency, in Russia – by institutes and engineering bureaus, commissioned by the Ministry of Defense. Similar projects are underway in China, Japan, Israel, and European countries..
XOS 2
One of the most famous exoskeletons for the army. His task is to increase the physical abilities of a soldier. Armor not included.
The suit helps in logistics and assaults. He adds strength sufficient to carry heavy loads, the destruction of wooden beams and brick walls.
Talos
This is a complete suit. It has the functions of armor and a system that increases strength. It helps to fight with equipment up to 45 kg. The suit tracks vital signs and even stops bleeding.
The composition and specific characteristics of equipment are usually not published – Talos is shown at thematic exhibitions with a general presentation.
Exohiker
This skeleton is not positioned as an army, but interesting for the military. Its task is to facilitate the transfer of heavy backpacks during the campaign. ExoHiker weighs 14 kg, but removes the load of 70 kg. On a single charge without connecting a solar battery, it travels 65 km at a speed of about 4 km / h.
Industrial Exoskeletons
H-lex
Weight lifting apparatus from Hyundai. It is suitable for people with limited mobility, but inconvenient due to the large size. Therefore, the main emphasis is placed on work in industry. Where you have to lift up to 60 kg.
Chairless chair
This exostula is for those who work on their feet. It relieves muscle tension when you need to be in a semi-squat for a long time, squat or stand. Convenient for work in the workshop, on the packaging line, kitchen, hairdresser. The device is flexible and mobile.
Exosuit
Designed for divers who can withstand water pressure and low temperature at a depth of 300 meters. In fact, this is a reinforced diving suit weighing 240 kg with four engines.
MS-02 PowerLoader
Robotic suit for many tasks. The developers suggest using it in rescue operations, where you need to lift objects weighing up to 100 kg.
There are several manipulators in the system, and sensors are located in the soles of the “legs”. They analyze the load on a person in six vectors and calculate how much machine effort needs to be applied to help.
MAX SuitX
Exoskeleton for movers. The design duplicates the musculoskeletal system, removing part of the load from it. It constantly hangs on a person in a deactivated state, but automatically recognizes the moment the work starts and turns on.
Assist Suit AWN-03
Panasonic Power Exoskeleton for warehouse workers. It is fixed on the shoulders, hips and lower back. The main task is to remove the load from the spine and back muscles during weight transfer.
Russian exoskeletons
ExoAthlet
Russian development for the rehabilitation of patients with leg and spinal cord problems. One of the pilots and ambassadors of ExoAthlet is the Paralympic wheelchair curling champion Vitaly Danilov.
Exoskeleton Stokhanov
Industrial exosuit from developers from Perm. According to calculations, it increases labor productivity in engineering, construction and rescue operations by 2-5 times.
Exobelt
Passive exoskeleton from the ExoAtlant company. The project is still under development. It is assumed that it will remove up to 40% of the load from the back during weight transfer..
The first partner of the company will be Sberbank. Exoskeleton will be tested by employees who carry bags of gold and other valuables
Exoskeletons of the Future
The industry is growing: devices are decreasing in size, functions are becoming wider. There are models not only for medicine, industry or the army:
ARAIG
Exoskeleton controller for gamers. It was not created to carry goods or increase abilities. This costume immerses the user in the game reality: changes the temperature, simulates the hit of shells, contact with the ground and obstacles.
NASA X1
Costume designed by the North Atlantic Space Agency for astronauts. It is needed to work with heavy loads in zero gravity..
The device has four drives on the knees and hips and six joints. Developers plan to add more. The suit is suitable for working on the ISS and supporting muscle tone in zero gravity – it sends data about astronauts to doctors on Earth.
Where to buy an exoskeleton and how much does it cost
The price of materials makes exoskeletons expensive. For example, Russian ExoAthlet It costs more than 1 million rubles. Costumes of foreign manufacture are much more expensive. For example, REX P – 9.5 million rubles.
Gradually manufacturers with lower prices appear. So, Cyberdyne produces HAL for arms, legs and the whole body, which can be bought from $ 4,200.
It is better to find out the price of devices on manufacturers’ websites, but these resources are also suitable for general information:
- Tiu
- AliExpress
- RoboTrends
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Exoskeletons have revolutionized various sectors, enhancing human capabilities. However, I’m curious to know, do exoskeletons have any limitations in terms of maneuverability or adaptability across different scenarios?