By: Logan Smith SCSC 314. Introduction to Robotic Exoskeletons Robotic exoskeletons have been portrayed in Hollywood and video games since the late 1950s.

By: Logan Smith

SCSC 314

Robotic Exoskeletons

Introduction to Robotic Exoskeletons• Robotic exoskeletons have been

portrayed in Hollywood and video games since the late 1950’s.

• The fantasy of robotic suites and exoskeletons are shown as technology of the future. For example, the blockbuster hits of The Matrix and Avatar use robotic suites as military and defense mechanisms.

Mobile infantry wore suits of

powered armor during

intergalactic war, protecting

them from anti-personnel guns.

Along with armor, the suits

sported a means of

transportation via jetpacks.

Starship Troopers 1959

Metroid 1986

This Caterpillar Power Loader is perhaps

one of the most iconic robotic suits

portrayed in films. This pre-CGI suit is

the blueprint for modern day robotic

exoskeletons. By design this suit was

made to assist humans in heavy lifting

and loading situations. Add some five-

fingered grippers and a machine gun and

you basically have the robotic suits of

the Matrix and Avatar.

Aliens 1986

The Mark V powered armor suit is one

of, if not the greatest iconic suits in

video games. However, nothing about

the suit is very original. It is simply a

refined version of the Mobile Infantry

suit and dozens of sloppy sci-fi

predecessors.

Halo 2001

Iron Man 2008

• Enough fantasy! Lets take a look

into the reality of Robotic

Exoskeletons in the military.

• Currently there are two robotic

suits under contract for military

use (THAT WE KNOW OF).

• The first contract is through

Lockheed Martin. Their exoskeleton

suit is called the Human Universal

Load Carrier, or “HULC” for short.

Reality of Robotic Exoskeletons

• The HULC is a completely un-tethered,

hydraulic-powered anthropomorphic

exoskeleton. It is designed to assist

soldiers in carrying heavy loads across any

and all terrains that may arise in combat.

With its titanium legs the HULC allows

users to carry loads of up to 200 pounds.

• The HULC makes use of its power-saving

design which allows the user to operate on

battery power for extended missions.

The HULC

• The HULC’s design allows for different

attachments to aid soldiers with bearing

heavy loads. The main purpose is to

eliminate physical stress and injuries.

• There is also a great emphasis on

providing soldiers with the energy to

carry out missions. In Afghanistan a

soldiers backpack can weigh over 100

pounds itself.

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kat8I5

UM_Vs

The HULC cont.

• The second robotic exoskeleton is contracted

through the Raytheon Company which

specializes in defense technology, homeland

and boarder security, and cybersecurity.

• The Raytheon XOS 2, as is the HULC, is

designed to assist soldiers with heavy lifting

and prevent physical fatigue and injury.

However, the XOS 2 is currently not for field

use.

• The XOS 2 relies on a tethered power source,

limiting the range of the suit.

Raytheon Sarcos XOS 2

• The XOS 2 is best used as a loader of

military supplies in tight spaces where a

fork lift simply cannot be used.

• The suit will allow one soldier to perform

the tasks of two or three. The XOS 2 also

breaks the physical limitations of the job,

allowing anyone man or female of any

strength to perform heavy load bearing

jobs. It increases the human strength by

17 fold. Simply meaning by exerting one

pound of force, the suit exerts 17 pounds!

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tVIE33

tMyQM&feature=related

XOS 2 cont.

ConclusionRobotic exoskeletons are not a fantasy of the future. The reality is we have the technology right now. Just think of what the government may or may not be keeping secret if this is currently what is being made public.

We will find these exoskeletons common practice in the military, the work place, and medical field.

Sources

• http://www.gearlive.com/news/article/hulc-military-exoskeleton-q310/

• http://www.lockheedmartin.com/us/products/hulc.html• http://www.cnn.com/2010/TECH/innovation/11/11/iron.man.suit/

index.html• http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/digital/fact-vs-fic

tion/SciFi-most-iconic-exoskeletons

Questions

1) Although the HULC and XOS 2 are designed to assist humans in physicallyDemanding tasks. What is the main difference between the two?

The HULC is a robotic exoskeleton that encapsulates the lower extremities while the XOS 2 is a true full body exoskeleton.

2) What is the main limitation of the XOS 2 exoskeleton?

It is connected to a tethered power source, meaning it is confinedto a local work area.

3) How much is the human strength amplified by the XOS 2 exoskeleton?

17x’s! When the human exerts 1 pound of force, the XOS 2 exerts 17 pounds .