The U.S. military is keen on developing powered exoskeletons that may one day help soldiers run faster, carry more weight across difficult terrain, and help reduce fatigue during long missions. While those are proper goals for a military, we are giddy about the same technology being used to help stroke patients regain their footing, get paralyzed people walking again, and assist the frail and elderly in keeping up active lifestyles unhindered by weak muscles and joints.
The U.S. Army Research Laboratory is now testing on behalf of DARPA a soft suit developed at Harvard’s Wyss Institute that helps soldiers move their feet with every step. The device looks considerably sleeker and less bulky than other exosuits we’ve seen, and was designed to maintain a person’s natural gait while powering up steps just when needed. Sensors within continuously track the person’s movement and immediately adjust the motors that pull on the cables and pulleys that power the device.
Here’s a report about the project with some footage of the soft exosuit in action:
Project page: Soft Exosuit…
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