The terminator suit Open Discussion Discuss The terminator suit in the Off Topic forums; New Scientist Technology Blog: Exoskeleton update Five years ago, New Scientist covered plans by the Pentagon�s research arm, DARPA, to build a robotic exoskeleton that would let GIs run faster, ...

[liquidsniper]

New Scientist Technology Blog: Exoskeleton update

Five years ago, New Scientist covered plans by the Pentagon�s research arm, DARPA, to build a robotic exoskeleton that would let GIs run faster, leap further and carry more. It was an interesting and ambitious idea - the plan was to have a miniature internal combustion engine moving each powered joint. But we heard no more about it and I just assumed the notion had been quietly dropped.

Far from it. I recently spoke to John Main, chief of DARPA�s exoskeleton program. He says the project is very much alive and that exoskeletons will be delivered for Army testing in 2008. After 14 companies and universities initially (circa 2001) came up with different designs, they have selected the firm that will build the beast: Sarcos of Salt Lake City in Utah, US.

Sarcos has come up with a system that uses just one engine instead of lots of them. The engine, and a tank containing a 24-hour supply of fuel, will be slung �beneath your rear end�, says Main. The engine (a turbine, two-stroke or four stroke - they haven�t decided yet) will then drive hydraulic fluid via high pressure lines to servo valves on each joint, amplifying the force used to move each limb when the wearer�s motion is sensed.

Main tried it out himself recently. �It makes you feel really, really strong. You get the sensation that you have a lot of strength. I sort of felt like The Hulk and I�m a skinny guy. I wore a 100-pound weight on my back and it felt I was carrying nothing like that amount,� he says. And he was only wearing the lower body - the legs and back support section.

Once the legs are mated to the powered arms, the full "powerloader" exoskeleton will be even stronger. �The upper body portion has arms that can hold a 40-pound weight at arms length for three minutes,� Main says.

Of course, running an internal combustion engine with the power of a scooter will be �smelly and loud�, say Main, and the exo won�t be allowed indoors by the US Occupational Health and Safety Administration. �The OSHA won�t let it run inside a building because basically it�s a vehicle,� says Main.

Then again, if you have superhuman strength, rules about building entry will be little bother: presumably you can just tear a wall off.

I wondered if the exoskeleton was easy to use. �Well, it was fun. Not everybody gets to do this. It�s an exercise in learning, like learning to ride a bike for the first time. You have to get your centre of gravity right. It�s completely alien.� a early proto type http://www.engadget.com/2007/11/25/sarcos-military-exoskeleton-becomes-a-frightening-reality/

[kevin6187]

taht is RIDICULOUS!

[Katana-750_Lady]

That's cool!

[dro^]

the ninja from metal gear solid? dope.

[dj_Cipher]

science imitaing hollywood. thanks james cameron and Aliens. The Marines on the Sulaco used a powerloader, albeit much larger and less grcaeful.

[Wahine13]

Doesn't Robert Downey Jr. play this guy in a movie coming out soon?

[AK74]

Ironman is definitely far superior. Movie is coming out 5-2-08. I for one will be watching that movie. The previews looked awesome.

[Zorthgo]

This is cool too!!!

Robotic exoskeleton turns grunts into super-soldiers

[kevin6187]

yea, kinda reminded me of the gunners from matrix 3, that defend zion with the big machine gun arms, and also if youve played starcraft the terran SCVs!

[Katana-750_Lady]

It's only a matter o ftime before soldiers are fighting in something like a Mech (Those of you geeky enough to know what that is will understand ... for those that don't .. here is a pic