Posted by Damozel | From Salt Lake City, BBC News reports on the developing military technology: robotic exo-skeletons for US soldiers that increase their strength and increase their endurance.
Rex Jameson, a software engineer here at laboratories run by Sarcos, the robotics firm which designed the XOS exoskeleton, steps up and into the suit....The lightweight aluminium exoskeleton, called XOS, senses Rex's every move and instantly moves with him; it is almost like a shadow or a second skin. It is designed for agility that can match a human's, but with strength and endurance that far outweigh our abilities. (BBC News)
I didn't really see the 'agility'. In the video, the cyber-skeleton in action makes me think of the infamous yet pathetic cyber-men from Doctor Who Let's hope that's not where they got the idea. But of course this technology is presumably in its infancy.
If we're in for endless war, I guess it's a good idea:
With the exoskeleton on and fully powered up, Rex can easily pull down weight of more than 90 kilos, more than he weighs.
For the army the XOS could mean quicker supply lines, or fewer injuries when soldiers need to lift heavy weights or move objects around repeatedly. Initial models would be used as workhorses, on the logistics side.
Later models, the army hopes, could go into combat, carrying heavier weapons, or even wounded colleagues. (BBC News)
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This line of research has actually been going on for a long time, but it still has a long way to go.
There's nothing inherently wrong with the military researching this stuff - at least it has some obvious applications that would be useful and could save money and lives. And if the military improves this technology to the point that it has value to them, then it also has obvious applications in industry as well as potentially helping stroke victims and other disabled persons. As far as military research goes (admittedly, a sliding scale there), this gets a thumbs up.
Contrast that to, say, the F-22, which is an incredible waste of money; a fighter designed to gain air superiority against an opponent that no longer exists. But hey, they look really cool...
Posted by: Adam | April 17, 2008 at 12:07 PM