Military work is physically demanding — even the non-combat work — and Lockheed Martin’s FORTIS Exoskeleton is designed to help:
Called the FORTIS, the exoskeleton is able to support tools of up to 36 pounds and transfer that load from a worker’s hands and arms to the ground. The goal is to lighten workers’ loads, ultimately making them more productive and skilled at their jobs.
he anodized aluminum and carbon fiber skeleton weighs 30 pounds, and follows along the outside of a human’s body. It has joints in the parts of the body that would regularly have joints (ankle, knee, hip) and flexes from side to side at the waist. Miller says the skeleton was designed for complex environments — whoever is wearing it can climb stairs or a ladder, squat and generally move business as usual in the exoskeleton. Tools mount to the front of the FORTIS and that weight is directed through the joints in the hip and down to the floor, relieving stress on the entire body, including the feet and ankles.
This and Berkeley Bionics’ lower body exoskeleton are promising developments. I hope I’m not the only person who immediately thought of this, specifically the harness aspect.
I heard that Cameron had the original made out of a steady-cam rig.
I happen to be reading Heinlein’s Starship Troopers right now and immediately thought of the exoskeleton suits worn by the Mobile Infantry protagonist.
That is a separate line of development, also steaming along quite nicely.
Finally women can perform to male standards! This’ll be mandatory equipment in no time.