HULC exoskeleton system ready

[pickaname]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/10703219

Just think of the possibilities! I can hear Higsons ears prick up from here...

"A robotic exoskeleton that makes it easier for soldiers to run and carry heavy weights is to go through final testing in the US.

The HULC (Human Universal Load Carrier) allows soldiers to carry weights of up to 200lbs (91kg) with little effort and is designed to reduce the strain of carrying heavy equipment.

It works by transferring the load to the ground through the exoskeleton's titanium legs and uses an onboard computer to sense and mimic the user's movements.

The battery powered device, which can fit different body sizes, also allow for jumps, squats, crawling and slow-speed running.

"It does not impede your range of motion whatsoever," says HULC project manager Jim Ni.

"Just imagine you're a soldier operating at 6,000ft in the Afghan mountains and being asked to take 120lbs up there in the thin air.

The HULC allows soldiers to carry weight of up to 91kg with little effort "An exoskeleton allows you to carry that weight the same distance and have energy left to execute the mission when you get there."

Although the HULC weighs 53lbs (24kg), its makers say it also transfers its own weight to the ground, making it virtually unnoticeable.

Lockheed Martin, which makes the device, has reworked an earlier prototype and produced a new "ruggedized design" that will begin an eight week lab test at the end of 2010.

The testing will look at how quickly people learn to operate the system and measure the energy a soldier uses when using the HULC.

"The tests will help us assess the current state of the technology," said David Audet, from the US Army's Natick Soldier Research Center.

"Exoskeletons have the potential to reduce stress on the body from heavy loads."

After the lab tests, the HULC is likely to go through more field tests in 'real-life' military scenarios during 2011."

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Lockheed Martin - Human Universal Load Carrier (HULC) [480p] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hWumbs9MQdM" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[stokes11eg]

They'd need to adapt it for us, and have backpack at front, so we can dip in for our mail! I laughed all the way through this------

[Lincox]

So it,s from CDVs to HULCs, I wonder if it has the capacity to lift a dog and throw it over the nearest rooftops. Will be great.

[Lincox]

Mind you if the dog p-sses on it before and it packs up, we,ll be like Billy Connelly in his incontinance pants.

[DGP1]

[smokerjim]

If Higson saw that, he'd jizz himself in joy at the prospect of getting shot of jobs, then s**t himself over the price.....then get the Meccano and bailing twine out, before telling us, we all have to carry 160 kgs of post & no more bag drops.

[dvbuk55]

There is certainly food for thought DGP - you would go to any lengths to improve your performance - I mean just imagine.................... Still the old incontinence could cause a problem

[DGP1]

There is certainly food for thought DGP - you would go to any lengths to improve your performance - I mean just imagine.................... Still the old incontinence could cause a problem

I think some of those hoses will be attached to........ahem so that you can go for longer (and there's a rumour that it can be recycled into........refreshment ).

[dvbuk55]

There is certainly food for thought DGP - you would go to any lengths to improve your performance - I mean just imagine.................... Still the old incontinence could cause a problem

I think some of those hoses will be attached to........ahem so that you can go for longer (and there's a rumour that it can be recycled into........refreshment ).

Very innovative - I was thinking more on the lines like the old steam engines - you just stand there and pretend it is part of normal procedure - the colour would be explained as part of the rustproofing procedure - the solids may take a leeeetle bit more explanation.