Ever since the introduction of the giant forklift in the sci-fi classic Aliens, the idea that power exoskeletons could allow workers to carry superhuman weights has kept innovators in heavy industry awake. Recent developments suggest that this idea may finally make its way into the real world.
The idea of exoskeletons, or wearable robotic suits, looks very appealing. Marry the power of mechanical robotics with the skills and abilities of humans, eliminating the need to develop sophisticated AI to control robots.
How difficult is it to create an exoskeleton?
In reality, everything turned out to be not so simple. Humans work in a fundamentally different way from machines, so designing machines that follow the principles of our movements and not break our soft and slippery bodies is extremely difficult. And for exoskeletons to simplify people's lives, rather than add to their worries, they must be unobtrusive, lightweight and adaptable to a wide range of body sizes and shapes.
That is why, despite the first demonstrations back in the 1960s, these devices are still rare in factories and factories. However, this may change. Ford announced earlier this month that it plans to start selling exoskeletons from Ekso Bionics at 15 locations worldwide following successful trials in the United States.
These gadgets won't be as impressive as Ripley's power loader. EksoVest is a mechanical cage without any power supply that simply supports workers' arms if raised overhead for extended periods of time. Considering the cost of the device in the region of $ 5,000, this is a great device because the cost of treating a worker's injured shoulder can be up to $ 100,000. And this suggests that we are moving from high-tech curiosity to a truly useful product.
The military has been developing exoskeletons for a very long time, but despite decades of work, even the most advanced military forces in the world have not yet mastered them. That could change, too: Trials of Lockheed Martin's ONYX lower body support device begin this year. This device is attached to the legs and provides support for soldiers who carry up to 40 kilograms of cargo.
Promotional video:
The first efforts to bring exoskeletons to the masses were aimed at helping people with disabilities get back on their feet. In 2014, the battery-powered ReWalk robotic suit became the first to be approved for medical use by the FDA. The motors in the bends of the knees and elbows help people with limb paralysis to move with crutches. Since then, several more such devices have been approved for medical use, but at a cost of about $ 100,000, they have not found widespread use.
The new wave of devices is targeting narrower industrial applications with simplified technologies and lower costs to make it easier to get started. EksoVest is being tested by BMW and Boeing. EksoZeroG, a robotic third limb that can be used to support heavy power tools, is also being tested in various locations in the United States.
Another company that is hard at work in this direction is SuitX. It manufactures three different models of industrial exoskeletons to support different body parts. The $ 5,000 LegX allows users to squat or bend over for extended periods without getting tired, while the $ 4,000 BackX helps lift heavy loads. The $ 4,000 ShoulderX supports overhead work similar to EksoVest. The suits have been tested by both Ford and Fiat. The Chairless Chair from Noonee keeps the lower body fixed in place so users can sit "in the air" - tested by Audi and BMW.
And it's not just cheap passive technologies that are ready to break through. Panasonic has announced that it will supply the Model Y exoskeleton for testing at a construction company in Hong Kong.
Earlier this year, Sarcos Robotics, with a Guardian XO exoskeleton capable of lifting 70 kilograms, which is as close as possible to a power loader to date, announced that it is creating a technical advisory group consisting of executives from BMW, Caterpillar, Delta and GE, among others, to study industrial applications of technology.
Amid the panic surrounding the prospect of replacing humans with machines in a multitude of jobs, it is very encouraging that we can actually team up with robots rather than compete with them.
Ilya Khel