First Military Exoskeleton Reaches Prototype

JonathanGCohen writes "The U.S. Military has created the first ever prototype for an exoskeleton to be worn by soldiers capable of making its 100 pound weight and a 70 pound supply package feel like five pounds." From the article: "Bleex 1 consists of a pair of hydraulically powered leg braces, more than 40 electronic sensors, a control computer, and an internal-combustion engine providing power from an attached backpack. The plastic and carbon-fiber braces are affixed rigidly to the soldier through a customized pair of standard Army boots, with more compliant and giving connections at the chest and waist. These looser connections prevent blisters and abrasions."

Bah.

[TripMaster Monkey]

This is not news.
It's been done before, and it's been done better. [theonion.com]
^_^

Bleex 2

[ch-chuck]

the newer version will allow soldiers ... wearing it to move faster than 6 feet per second.

thus actually enabling a real version of "The Wrong Trousers"

Already in testing

[grub]

Here is Lieutenant Ripley testing the device. [totalmodel.com]

civilian use

[Anonymous Coward]

Perhaps this can be adapted to civilian use to enable the traditional "groom carrying the bride over the threshold" maneuver that is becoming increasingly more difficult in the US.

that's great...

[User 956]

Bleex 1 consists of a pair of hydraulically powered leg braces, more than 40 electronic sensors, a control computer, and an internal-combustion engine providing power from an attached backpack.

that's great, but can it find Sarah Connor?

Re:Geek's Dream

[TCQuad]

Imagine the chicks you could pick up wearing one of these babies :-)

Yeah, but then you have to deal with them yelling "Put me down, put me down!"

Re:Geek's Dream

[Anonymous Coward]

if you need an exoskeleton to pick up a chick, then i think you may want to reconsider the chick...

Now we know

[SuperKendall]

During development, an operator donned Bleex 1, which weighed about 100 lb, along with a backpack carrying a 70-lb load. He could walk at about two steps per second (or 6 fps) and it felt like he was only lugging a 5-lb load. The first prototype was restricted to walking on flat terrain and not-too-steep hills, but the wearer could also squat, bend, and swing from side to side, as well as step over obstacles. The suit is water resistant and will float, according to its inventors.

Now at last I realize why I have been playing so many futuristic soldiers in games that can carry sixteens different heavy weapons weighing hundreds of pounds, but cannot jump over a three-foot tall wall. They all had the Bleex.

Will they issue "LifeAlert" with this?

[mmell]

"Help. I've fallen and I can't get up!"

The engine

[3TimeLoser]

Wouldn't it be funny if it had an unmuffled 2-stroke engine?

Whiinnnnnnngggg-ding-ding-ding...

Politics is a contact sport.

[Anonymous Coward]

"If a group of men can do it to a different group of men, what is it?"

Congress.

Re:Boom!

[Anonymous Coward]

Now as a member of the US military, I will not wear this.

As a member of the US military, you will.

Damn you, Santa!

[Anonymous Coward]

Okay...

Make TMM stop using that fucking anime smile that's getting on a lot of people's nerves. Santa obviously didn't give me that one.

Make TMM stop being an egotist who must have frits psot since mommy bought his Slashdot subscription. Ignored me there, too.

Make TMM stop getting on some narcissistic ego trip just because he can use Google. So much for that one, too. Wonderful. *groan*

Hrmph. That's the last time that I leave beer and Doritos out for Santa on Christmas Eve.

Re:Bah.

[kryogen1x]

Yeah, I recall Mario [classicgaming.com] with a similar suit, except it could go underwater!

only 70 lbs??? pah...

[advocate_one]

Royal Marines yomped all the way from San Carlos to Port Stanley with 110lb loads in their backpacks, and had to fight along the way...

Re:Tin soliders...

[Nahor]

Any EMP strong enough to kill it would electrocute you via your tooth cavity filling, too.

Which shows you how important it is to brush your teeth after each meal so you don't get cavities in the first place

Disappointment

[wetfeetl33t]

Wish I had known about this before christmas. Now I'm stuck with these stupid sweaters .

Re:Book recommendation and a discussion question

[Anonymous Coward]

If one man can cause pain to another man with no risk to himself, then it's basically torture. If a group of men can do it to a different group of men, what is it?

High school?

Re:Falling down

[bannoy]

If the wearer/opeartor falls down, can they stand up again unassisted?

I think Geneva Convention dictates that as long as he cries out "TIME OUT!!!", he cannot be attacked until he has stood up.

Re:If they only up-armored it

[B3ryllium]

you know what's even worse than penetrating missle bombs?

Citrus juice.

You can incapacitate any foe by spritzing citrus juices into their eyes.

Re:civilian use

[Anonymous Coward]

Fortunately we don't have any need of such a device here on the west coast as most of the women here don't come with an r-30 rating for winter.

Re:Boom! Wuss!

[Anonymous Coward]

Don't worry about him; he's Air Force.

Great...

[Anonymous Coward]

Now when can I mount my LRM 20s?

Excellent. Now we're prepared for an angel attack

[gijoel]

Just as soon as the army finds some angsty 14 yr olds.

You ROCK, Santa!

[TripMaster Monkey]

Keep my AC stalker bitching about the anime smiley. Yes!

Keep my AC stalker bitching about my first posts and the fact that I'm a supporter of Slashdot. Score!

Keep my AC stalker bitching about my occasional use of a search engine. Bonus!

Awesome! The GHB and peyote I left out for Santa on Christmas Eve really paid off!

^_^ ^_^ ^_^

Re:Bah.

[TheUser0x58]

i dunno, i feel like north korea's got the upper hand here... [theonion.com]

Re:Boom!

[jlowery]

...do you feel exceptional trepidation when you mow your lawn? The gas in your lawn mower is more volatile than JP-4.

If someone was shooting at me as I was mowing the lawn, fuck yes!

Re:only 70 lbs??? pah...

[JollyFinn]

Yes. Everyone is heavier in new world.