Your dreams of one day wearing a “bionic exoskeleton” may soon be coming true. Headway is being made in the area of rehabilitation, where exoskeletons are used to assist people with lower-body paralysis to walk upright. Bionics expert Thomas Sugar, associate professor at the Department of Engineering, Arizona State University said:
In the next five years we’re going to see more and more exoskeletons out there in practice.
These are some of the advanced exoskeletons.
Lockheed Martin HULC
The Lockheed Martin HULC (Human Universal Load Carrier) is leading the way in terms of developing an exoskeleton that can be used on the battlefields. Defense technology developer Lockheed Martin claims that a soldier who is wearing the battery powered HULC will be able to maintain a march of 3MPH (4,8 km/h). The HULC has been designed to reduce leg and back muscle stress. And yes, it reportedly does give you some super human powers similar to that of the Hulk. The HULC comes with a Lift Assist Device enabling the soldier to lift heavy objects which would normally need the strength of two or more men.
Cyberdyne HAL-5
The HAL-5 Type B is the first exoskeleton robot to have received a global safety certificate. The company, Cyberdyne claims that the HAL-5 is the first “cyborg-type robot”. This robot assists stroke patients or those suffering spinal cord injuries. The electrical signals on the skin around the area where the muscle damage has occured are recorded and in turn move motorised joints.
And if you are wondering why there is a gas mask, HAL-5 gained notoriety when the suits were used in the Fukushima nuclear plant disaster in 2011.
Muscle Suit by Kobalab
The Kobalab, according to scientists at Tokyo University is set to beat the competition in the race for a super strong exoskeleton and no it will not be using “complex computer systems.”
Kobayashi Labs’ Muscle Suit replaces electronic actuator motors with a system of inflatable pneumatic “artificial muscles” to help nurses or care workers carry elderly or ill patients.
Argo ReWalk
This robot is certainly one for the record books. After falling from her horse and being left paralised from the chest down, former chiropractor Claire Lomas was able to complete the London Marathon in 2012. Lomas achieved this amazing feet with the Argo ReWalk.
This robot is already available for purchase for R630 000, a little steep but it performs miracles. The Argo ReWalk aids patients with spinal cord injuries allowing them to walk again.
Nasa X-1
This robot is for space exercise, assisting astronauts with their workouts without the Earth’s gravitational pull. It weighs 25kg but up there it’s weightless. The Nasa X-1 could improve astronauts health aboard the International Space Station.
The Nasa X-1 promotes a person’s movement but also inhibits it, and for this reason the technology is better suited for space.
[Source: CNN]
