Rip through the air at the speed of sound and rush towards the horizon, arms outstretched at the seams in your iron suit. Be anywhere in the blink of an eye the globe without having to be stuck in traffic. Fly without wings, without being on board a plane or something stronger. Let someone throw a stone at me who did not want to be in the place of Tony Stark in his stellar moments (of course, in the Iron Man suit). In part, these dreams will be able to realize the exoskeleton - a device that can increase a person's abilities (mostly physical, muscular strength) due to the external frame. About what this device is, what developments are already available and how technologies will develop in the future, we will tell in this material.

From elastiped to " iron man»

Science and technology is, without exaggeration, the fiercest race between the ingenuity of man and nature. Throughout history, man has been trying to remake the world around him to suit his needs. Somewhere he succeeds, often not without harm to nature. Somewhere you have to peep at her. And if most invertebrates have an external skeleton in one form or another, humans do not. But there were no wings, were there?

Nowadays, an exoskeleton means a mechanical suit or part of it up to 2–2.5 meters high. Next come "mobile suits", mechas and other giant humanoid robots.

Like many other things in our lives, exoskeletons are gradually stepping over the border that separates bold dreams from everyday life. Initially just ideas, concepts, myths and legends of science fiction, today, almost every week, new variants of exoskeletons appear.

The first inventor of the exoskeleton is considered to be the Russian "mechanical engineer" Nikolai Ferdinandovich Yagn, who registered a number of patents on this topic back in the 1890s. He lived in America, where, in fact, he patented his miracles, showed them at exhibitions, and, upon returning to his native land, invented again. His exoskeleton was supposed to make it easier for soldiers to walk, run and jump in the first place. Even then, the Russian genius foresaw the potential military power of such devices.

NIKOLAI
Ferdinandovich YAGN

In addition to the exoskeleton, Yagn developed cooling curtains, a hydraulic motor, an oscillating propeller, a samovar-sterilizer, and other devices.

Hardiman

We will not deny that science fiction writers have made a gigantic and immense contribution to the development of exoskeletons. In 1959, after the sensational novel Starship Troopers by Robert Heinlein, it became clear to everyone that behind the external frame suits was the future of military operations and not only. And away we go.

The first exoskeleton was created by the General Electric Company with the support of the US Department of Defense in the 1960s. Hardiman weighed 680 kilograms and could lift loads weighing up to 110 kilograms. With all the gigantic ambitions - and they wanted to use it both under water and in space, and carry warheads, and nuclear rods - he showed himself not in the best way. He was happily forgotten about.

remotely resembling exoskeleton device "pedomotor" inventor Leslie S. Kelly, developed in 1917

Nine years later, Miomir Vukobratovich from Belgrade, Yugoslavia, showed the first powered walking exoskeleton, the task of which was to give people with paralysis the ability to walk. The device was based on a pneumatic actuator. Soviet scientists from the Central Institute of Traumatology and Orthopedics named after N. N. Priorov showed the first initiatives to develop exoskeletons together with their Yugoslav colleagues based on the work of Vukobratovich. But with the beginning of perestroika, the projects were closed, and there is no data on secret underground developments of exoskeletons. But with space exploration, everything was fine.

AT different time in different countries craftsmen tried to make exoskeletons themselves for various purposes, but due to a variety of obstacles (which we will talk about later), it was possible to do this very poorly. The lack of energy carriers, the slow growth of scientific and technological progress, the development of materials science and other related sciences, as well as the development of computer computing and cybernetics, the wave of which rose only 30 years ago, all this hampered the development of exoskeletons. Without a doubt, these are the most complex technologies that people have yet to master.

Problems of exoskeletons

There aren't many materials on this planet that can be used to make a rigid frame that won't make things worse with their weight. In any case, there were not many of them, but taking into account space flights, military developments, the development of materials science, nanotechnology and a dozen or two other interesting areas, humanity is gradually taking one barrier after another. At the beginning of the 21st century, interest in exoskeletons flared up with remarkable force and continues to burn to this day. But first, let's talk about the main problems that the creators of exoskeletons face.

If we decompose a hypothetical exoskeleton into components, we will have: a power source, a mechanical skeleton and software. And if everything seems to be clear with the last two points and there are almost no problems left, then the power source is serious problem. With a normal power source, engineers could not only create an exoskeleton, but also combine it with a spacesuit and a jetpack. It would have turned out to be an Iron Man suit, probably, but the new Tony Stark has not yet appeared.

Any of the compact power sources today can provide the exoskeleton with only a few hours of battery life. Next - the dependence on the wire. For non-rechargeable and batteries there are limitations, such as the need for replacement or slow charging, respectively. Internal combustion engines should be too reliable, but not particularly compact. Moreover, in the latter case, additional system cooling, and the internal combustion engine itself is difficult to tune for instant emission a large number energy. Electrochemical fuel cells can be quickly refueled with liquid fuel (for example, methanol) and give the desired and instantaneous energy release, but operate at extremely high temperatures. 600 degrees Celsius - relatively low temperature for such a power supply. With him, the "iron man" will turn into a hot dog.

Oddly enough, the most possible solution to the fuel issue for exoskeletons of the future may be the most impossible: wireless power transmission. It could solve a lot of issues, because it can be transferred from an arbitrarily large reactor (including a nuclear one). But how? The question is open.

The first exoskeletons were made of aluminum and steel, inexpensive and easy to use. But steel is too heavy, and the exoskeleton must also work to lift its own weight. Accordingly, with a large weight of the suit, its effectiveness will drop. Aluminum alloys light enough, but accumulate fatigue, which means they are not particularly suitable for high loads. Engineers are looking for lightweight and strong materials like titanium or carbon fiber. They will inevitably be expensive, but they will ensure the effectiveness of the exoskeleton.

Drives are a particular problem. Standard hydraulic cylinders are powerful enough and can work with high precision, but are heavy and require a bunch of hoses and tubes. Pneumatics, on the other hand, are too unpredictable in terms of handling motions, since the compressed gas springs back and the reactive forces will push the actuators.

However, new electronic-based servos are being developed that will use magnets and provide responsive motion while consuming minimal power and being small. You can compare it to the transition from steam locomotives to trains. We also note the flexibility that the joints should have, but here the problems of exoskeletons can be solved by spacesuit developers. They will also help to deal with the adaptation of the suit to the size of the wearer.

Control

A particular problem in the creation of an exoskeleton is the control and regulation of excessive and unwanted movements. You can’t just take and make an exoskeleton with the same reaction speed of each of the members. Such a mechanism may be too fast for the user, but you can't make it too slow - inefficient. On the other hand, you cannot rely on the user and trust the sensors to read intentions from body movements: desynchronization of the movements of the user and the suit will lead to injury. It is necessary to limit both acting parties. Engineers are breaking their heads over the solution of this issue. In addition, unintentional or unwanted movement must be detected in advance so that an accidental sneeze or cough does not lead to an ambulance call.

Exoskeletons and the future

In 2010, Sarcos and Raytheon, together with the US Department of Defense, showed the XOS 2 combat exoskeleton. The first prototype came out two years earlier, but did not cause a stir. But XOS 2 turned out to be so cool that Time magazine included exoskeletons in the list of the top five military innovations of the year. Since then, the world's leading engineers have been puzzled over the creation of exoskeletons that can provide an advantage on the battlefield. And outside of it too.

What do we have today?

This exoskeleton was introduced in 2011 and was designed for people with handicapped. In January 2013, an updated version was released - ReWalk Rehabilitation, and already in June 2014, the FDA approved the use of the exoskeleton in public and at home, thereby opening the way for it commercially. The system weighs about 23.3 kilograms, runs on Windows and in three modes: walk, sit and stand. Cost: from 70 to 85 thousand dollars.

A series of these military exoskeletons is in active development (XOS 3 is next). It weighs about 80 kilograms and allows the owner to easily lift 90 extra pounds. The latest costume models are so mobile that they allow you to play with the ball. According to the manufacturers, one XOS can replace three soldiers. Perhaps the third generation of the exoskeleton will be closer to what we see on the screens of science fiction films. recent years. Alas, while it is tied to an external power source.

Human Universal Load Carrier - creation famous company Lockheed Martin in partnership with Berkeley Bionics. This exoskeleton is also designed for the military. The basis is hydraulics and lithium-polymer batteries. By correctly loading the outer frame, with its help, the user can carry up to 140 kilograms of excess cargo. It is assumed that the soldiers will be able to use the HULC a la "me and my friend my truck" within 72 hours. Development is in full swing, so it is not surprising that the HULC may be the first to enter service with the United States.

ExoHiker, ExoClimber and eLEGS (Ekso)

Prototypes, again, Berkeley Bionics, designed to perform various tasks. The first one, to help travelers carry loads up to 50 kilograms, was introduced in February 2005 and weighs about 10 kilograms. Given the small solar panel, can work for a very, very long time. The ExoClimber is a ten-kilogram addition to the ExoHiker that allows the wearer to jump and climb stairs. In 2010, the developments of Berkeley Bionics resulted in eLEGS. This system is a complete hydraulic exoskeleton that allows paralyzed people to walk and stand. In 2011 eLEGS was renamed to Ekso. It weighs 20 kilograms, travels at a maximum speed of 3.2 km/h and works for 6 hours.

Another sensational exoskeleton of the Japanese robot manufacturer Cyberdyne. Its purpose is to provide the ability to walk for people with disabilities. There are two main options: HAL-3 and HAL-5. Since the presentation in 2011, more than 130 HALs have been adopted in less than a year. medical institutes countrywide. However, testing will continue throughout 2014 and possibly 2015. In August 2013, HAL received carte blanche to be used as a medical robot in Europe. latest model The costume weighs about 10 kilograms.

The average cost of a medical exoskeleton is
90 thousand dollars.

In addition to serious full-body exoskeletons, limited exoskeletons designed to perform specific tasks are becoming increasingly popular. For example, in August of this year, the Chairless Chair exochair was shown, which allows you to sit while standing. Daewoo and Lockheed Martin have independently shown exoskeletons for shipyard workers. These devices allow workers to hold a load or tool weighing up to 30 kilograms without much straining.

In Russia, the development of an exoskeleton called "ExoAtlet" is being carried out by a team of scientists assembled on the basis of the Research Institute of Mechanics of Moscow State University. They continue the developments of Vukobratovich, begun back in the USSR, which we mentioned above. The first working passive exoskeleton of this team was developed for employees of the Ministry of Emergency Situations, firefighters and rescuers. With a weight of 12 kilograms, the design allows without special efforts carry up to 100 kilograms of cargo. The company plans to develop the ExoAtler-A power model, which will allow carrying up to 200 kilograms, as well as a medical exoskeleton for the rehabilitation of people with disabilities.

What unites all these costumes is that they are presented for the most part as prototypes. So they will improve. So, they are waiting for field tests. So there will be new models. So, they are the future. It is too early to say that a working and useful exoskeleton can go and buy on the black market. But a start has been made, and the development of this direction is confidently entering a broad channel. We are still a long way from Tony Stark's costume, but what prevents us from enjoying spectacular films? Fans of spectacular showdowns involving exoskeletons will always have something to watch: "Aliens" (1986), "Iron Man" (2008), "Avatar" (2009), "District No. 9" (2009), "The Avengers" (2012), " Elysium (2013), Edge of Tomorrow (2014).

One thing is certain: exoskeletons will be everywhere in the future. They will help our cosmonauts explore Mars, build the first colonies and comfortably navigate in space. They will be used in the military segment, since by default they endow soldiers with superhuman strength. They will give the opportunity to fully move to those who have lost it. The Iron Man suit will one day become real, like everything you see around you.

"ExoAtlet"

An exoskeleton is an external frame that allows a person to perform truly fantastic actions: lift weights, fly, run at great speed, make giant jumps, etc. And if you think that only the main characters of "Iron Man" or "Avatar" have such devices, then you are deeply mistaken. They have been available to mankind since the 60s. last century; what's more, you can learn how to assemble an exoskeleton with your own hands! However, first things first.

Exoskeleton: acquaintance

Today you can easily buy yourself an exoskeleton - similar products are produced by Ekso Bionics and Hybrid Assistive Limb (Japan), Indego (USA), ReWalk (Israel). But only if you have an extra 75-120 thousand euros. In Russia, only medical exoskeletons are produced so far. They are designed and manufactured by Exoathlet.

The first exoskeleton was made by scientists from the General Electric and United States Military corporations back in the sixties of the last century. It was called Hardiman and could freely lift a load of 110 kg into the air. The person who put on this device in the process experienced a load, as when lifting 4.5 kg! Only now Hardiman himself weighed all 680 kg. That is why he was not in great demand.

All exoskeletons are divided into three types:

fully robotic;

• for legs.

Modern robosuits weigh from 5 to 30 kg and more. They are both active and passive (working only on the operator's command). According to their purpose, exoskeletons are divided into military, medical, industrial and space. Consider the most remarkable of them.

The most impressive exoskeletons of our time

Of course, it will not work to assemble such exoskeletons with your own hands at home in the near future, but it is worth getting to know them:

• DM (Dream machine). It is a fully automatic hydraulic exoskeleton that is controlled by the voice of its operator. The device weighs 21 kg and is able to withstand a person weighing up to a centner. So far, it is used for the rehabilitation of patients who cannot walk due to diseases of the central nervous system or other neuromuscular diseases. approximate cost- 7 million rubles.
• Exo GT. The mission of this exoskeleton is the same as the previous one - it helps people with pathologies of the motor functions of the legs. The characteristics are similar to the previous one, the price is 7.5 million rubles.
• ReWalk. It is designed to give movement to people with paralysis of the lower extremities again. The device weighs 25 kg and is able to work without recharging for 3 hours. The exoskeleton is available in Europe and the USA in the amount equivalent to 3.5 million rubles.
• REX. Today, this device can be bought in Russia for 9 million rubles. The exoskeleton gives people with leg paralysis not only independent walking, but also the ability to stand/sit down, turn around, go moonwalking, go down stairs, etc. REX is controlled by a joystick, able to function without recharging all day.
• HAL (Hybrid Assistive Limb). There are two versions - for arms and for arms / legs / torso. This invention allows the operator to lift a weight 5 times heavier than the limit for a person. It is also used for the rehabilitation of paralyzed people. This exoskeleton weighs only 12 kg, and its charge is enough for 1.0-1.5 hours.

How to make an exoskeleton with your own hands: James Hacksmith Hobson

The first and so far the only person who has managed to design an exoskeleton in non-laboratory conditions is Canadian engineer James Hobson. The inventor assembled a device that allows him to freely lift 78-kilogram cinder blocks into the air. His exoskeleton works on pneumatic cylinders, which are supplied with energy by the compressor, and the device is controlled using a remote control.

The Canadian does not keep his invention a secret. You can find out how to assemble an exoskeleton with your own hands following his example on the engineer's website and on his YouTube channel. However, please note that the weight lifted by such an exoskeleton rests solely on the operator's spine.

Do-it-yourself exoskeleton: an approximate diagram

There are no detailed instructions that allow you to easily assemble an exoskeleton at home. However, it is clear that it will need:

• frame, characterized by strength and mobility;
• hydraulic pistons;
• pressure chambers;
• vacuum pumps;
• source of power;
• durable tubes that can withstand high pressure;
• computer for management;
• sensors;
• software that allows you to send and convert information from sensors for the right job valves.

How this composition will approximately work:

1. One pump should increase the pressure in the system, the other - to reduce.
2. The operation of the valves depends on the pressure in the pressure chambers, the increase / decrease of which will control the system.
3. The location of the sensors (against the movement of the limbs): six - arms, four - back, three - legs, two feet (more than 30 in total).
4. The software must eliminate pressure on the sensors.
5. Sensor signals must be divided into conditional (information from them is useful if the unconditional sensor does not "speak" about the pressure it is experiencing) and unconditional. The conditionality / unconditionality of these elements can be determined, for example, by an accelerometer.
6. The exoskeleton's hands are three-fingered, separated from the operator's wrist, to prevent injury and give additional strength.
7. The power source is selected after assembly and trial testing of the exoskeleton.

So far, only in the field of rehabilitation, they are already beginning to enter our lives. There are inventors who are able to build such a device outside the laboratory. It is quite possible that in the near future any student will be able to assemble the Stalker exoskeleton with his own hands. It is already possible to predict that such systems are the future.

I remember how, after watching Avatar, I was completely stunned by the exoskeletons shown there. Since then, I think that these smart pieces of iron are the future. I also really want to attach my sharpened hands to this topic on the wrong side. Moreover, according to the analytical agency ABI Research, the global market for exoskeletons by 2025 will be $1.8 billion. At this stage, not being a techie, engineer, architect and programmer, I am somewhat confused. I think how to approach this topic. I would be glad if people who would potentially be interested in participating in such projects are noted in the comments to the article.

There are currently four key companies operating in the exoskeleton market: American Indego, Israeli ReWalk, Japanese Hybrid Assistive Limb and Ekso Bionics. average cost their products from 75 to 120 thousand euros. In Russia, people also do not sit idle. For example, the Exoathlet company is actively working on medical exoskeletons.

The first exoskeleton was jointly developed by General Electric and the United States military in the 60s and was called the Hardiman. He could lift 110 kg with the force applied when lifting 4.5 kg. However, it was impractical due to its significant mass of 680 kg. The project was not successful. Any attempt to use the full exoskeleton ended in intense uncontrollable movement, as a result of which it was never fully tested with a person inside. Further research has focused on one hand. Although she was supposed to lift 340 kg, her weight was 750 kg, which was twice the lifting capacity. Without getting all the components together to work practical use the Hardiman project was limited.

REX

Features and specifications:
1. Independent walking. Does not require crutches or other means of stabilization, while leaving hands free.
4. The leg exoskeleton allows you to: stand up, sit down, turn around, walk backwards, stand on one leg, walk up stairs, walk on various, even inclined surfaces.
5. The device is very easy to control - all functions are activated using the joystick.
6. The device can be used all day long thanks to the high-capacity removable battery.
7. With a light weight of only 38 kilograms, the REX can support a user weighing up to 100 kilograms and with a height of 1.42 to 1.93 meters.
8. Convenient system fixation does not cause any discomfort even if you wear it all day.
9. Also, when the user does not move, but just stands REX does not waste battery power.
10. Access to buildings without ramps, thanks to the ability to walk up stairs without outside help.

I remember how, after watching Avatar, I was completely stunned by the exoskeletons shown there. Since then, I think that these smart pieces of iron are the future. I also really want to attach my sharpened hands to this topic on the wrong side. Moreover, according to the analytical agency ABI Research, the global market for exoskeletons by 2025 will be $1.8 billion. At this stage, not being a techie, engineer, architect and programmer, I am somewhat confused. I think how to approach this topic. I would be glad if people who would potentially be interested in participating in such projects are noted in the comments to the article.
There are currently four key companies operating in the exoskeleton market: American Indego, Israeli ReWalk, Japanese Hybrid Assistive Limb and Ekso Bionics. The average cost of their products is from 75 to 120 thousand euros. In Russia, people also do not sit idle. For example, the Exoathlet company is actively working on medical exoskeletons.

The first exoskeleton was jointly developed by General Electric and the United States military in the 60s and was called the Hardiman. He could lift 110 kg with the force applied when lifting 4.5 kg. However, it was impractical due to its significant mass of 680 kg. The project was not successful. Any attempt to use the full exoskeleton ended in intense uncontrollable movement, as a result of which it was never fully tested with a person inside. Further research has focused on one hand. Although she was supposed to lift 340 kg, her weight was 750 kg, which was twice the lifting force. Without getting all the components together to work, the practical application of the Hardiman project was limited.

Then there will be a short story about modern exoskeletons, which one way or another have reached the level of commercial implementation.

1. Independent walking. Does not require crutches or other means of stabilization, while leaving hands free.
4. The leg exoskeleton allows you to: stand/crouch, turn around, walk backwards, stand on one leg, walk up stairs, walk on various, even inclined surfaces.
5. The device is very easy to control - all functions are activated using the joystick.
6. The device can be used all day long thanks to the high-capacity removable battery.
7. With a light weight of only 38 kilograms, the REX can support a user weighing up to 100 kilograms and with a height of 1.42 to 1.93 meters.
8. Comfortable fixation system does not cause any discomfort even if you wear it all day.
9. Also, when the user does not move, but simply stands still, REX does not waste battery power.
10. Access to buildings without ramps, thanks to the ability to walk up the stairs without assistance.

HAL

hal ( Hybrid Assistive Limb) - is a robotic exoskeleton with upper limbs. At the moment, two prototypes have been developed - HAL 3 (restoration of the motor function of the legs) and HAL 5 (restoration of the work of the arms, legs and torso). With the HAL 5, the operator is able to lift and carry objects up to five times the maximum weight under normal conditions.

Price in Russia: promised for 243,600 rubles. The information could not be confirmed.

Features and specifications:

1. The weight of the device is 12 kg.
3. The device can work from 60 to 90 minutes without recharging.
4. The exoskeleton is actively used in the rehabilitation of patients with pathology of the motor functions of the lower extremities due to disorders of the central nervous system or as a consequence of neuromuscular diseases.

Rewalk

Rewalk is an exoskeleton that allows paraplegics to walk. Like an external skeleton or a bioelectronic suit, the ReWalk device uses special sensors to detect deviations in a person's balance, and then transforms them into impulses that normalize his movements, which allows a person to walk or stand. ReWalk is already available in Europe and is now FDA approved in the United States.

Price in Russia: from 3.4 million rubles (on order).

Features and specifications:

1. The weight of the device is 25 kg.
2. The exoskeleton can bear up to 80kg.
3. The device can work up to 180 minutes without recharging.
4. Battery charging time 5-8 hours
5. The exoskeleton is actively used in the rehabilitation of patients with pathology of the motor functions of the lower extremities due to disorders of the central nervous system or as a result of neuromuscular diseases.

Ekso bionic

The Ekso GT is another exoskeleton project that helps people with severe musculoskeletal disorders regain their mobility.

Price in Russia: from 7.5 million rubles (on order).

Features and specifications:

1. The weight of the device is 21.4 kg.
2. The exoskeleton can bear up to 100kg.
3. Maximum hip width: 42cm;
4. Battery weight: 1.4 kg;
5. Dimensions (HxWxD): 0.5 x 1.6 x 0.4 m.
6. The exoskeleton is actively used in the rehabilitation of patients with pathology of the motor functions of the lower extremities due to disorders of the central nervous system or as a result of neuromuscular diseases.

DM

D.M. ( dream machine) is a hydraulic automated exoskeleton with a voice control system.

Price in Russia: 700,000 rubles.

Features and specifications:

1. The weight of the device is 21 kg.
2. The exoskeleton must support the user's weight up to 100 kg.
3. The scope of application can be much wider than the rehabilitation of patients with pathology of the motor functions of the lower extremities due to disorders of the central nervous system or as a result of neuromuscular diseases. It can be industry, construction, show business and the fashion industry.

Issues for discussion:

1. What is the optimal composition of the project team?
2. What is the cost of the project at the initial stage?
3. What are the pitfalls?
4. How do you see optimal time project implementation from idea to commercial launch?
5. Is it worth starting a similar project now and why?
6. What should be the geography and expansion to the market?
7. Are you personally ready to take part in such a project, and if so, in what capacity?

Z.Y. I would appreciate a constructive discussion, opinions, arguments and arguments for and against in the comments. I'm sure I'm not the only one thinking about this. Meanwhile, I am sure that the exoskeleton is the new iPhone in the world. popular culture over the next ten years.

If you are one of those who watched all the parts of Iron Man with great pleasure, you must have been delighted with iron suit, which was worn by Tony Stark before the battle with the villains. Agree, it would be nice to have such a suit. In addition to being able to take you anywhere in the blink of an eye, at least for bread, it would protect your body from all kinds of damage and give you superhuman strength.

It probably won't surprise you that very soon, a lighter version of the Iron Man suit will allow soldiers to run faster, carry heavy weapons, and move across rough terrain. At the same time, the suit will protect them from bullets and bombs. Military engineers and private companies have been working on exoskeletons since the 60s of the last century, but only recent advances in electronics and materials science have brought us closer to realizing this idea than ever before.

In 2010, U.S. defense contractor Raytheon demonstrated an experimental XOS 2 exoskeleton—essentially a robotic suit controlled by a human brain—that can lift two to three times the weight of a human without any effort or assistance. Another company, Trek Aerospace, is developing an exoskeleton with a built-in jetpack that can fly at 112 km/h and hover motionless above the ground. These and a number of other promising companies, including such monsters as Lockheed Martin, bring the Iron Man suit closer to reality every year.

Read an interview with the creator of the Russian exoskeleton Stakhanov.

ExoskeletonXOS 2 fromRaytheon

Note that not only the military will benefit from the development of a good exoskeleton. One day, people with spinal cord injuries or degenerative diseases that limit their ability to move will be able to move around with ease thanks to external frame suits. The first versions of exoskeletons, such as ReWalk from Argo Medical Technologies, have already entered the market and received universal approval. However, at the moment, the field of exoskeletons is still in its infancy.

What revolution do the exoskeletons of the future promise to bring to the battlefield and? What technical hurdles must engineers and designers overcome to make exoskeletons truly practical for everyday use? Let's figure it out.

History of exoskeleton development

Warriors have been putting armor on their bodies since time immemorial, but the first idea of ​​a body with mechanical muscles appeared in science fiction in 1868, in one of Edward Sylvester Ellis' penny novels. The Prairie Steamman described a gigantic steam engine human form, which moved its inventor, the brilliant Johnny Brainerd, at a speed of 96.5 km / h when he hunted bulls and Indians.

But this is fantasy. The first real patent for an exoskeleton was received by Russian mechanical engineer Nikolai Yagn in the 1890s in America. Known for his developments, the designer lived overseas for more than 20 years, patented a dozen ideas describing an exoskeleton that allows soldiers to run, walk and jump with ease. However, in reality, Yagn is known only for the creation of the "Stoker's Friend" - an automatic device that supplies water to steam boilers.

Exoskeleton patented by N. Yagno

By 1961, two years after Marvel Comics came up with their Iron Man and Robert Heinlein wrote Starship Troopers, the Pentagon decided to make their exosuits. He set the task of creating a "servo soldier", which was described as a "human capsule equipped with steering and power steering" that allowed him to quickly and easily move heavy objects, and also protected the carrier from bullets, poisonous gas, heat and radiation. By the mid-1960s, Cornell University engineer Neil Meisen had developed a 15.8-kilogram wearable skeletal exoskeleton, dubbed the "Superman Suit" or "Human Amplifier." It allowed the user to lift 453 kilograms with each arm. By the same time, General Electric had developed a similar 5.5-meter device, the so-called "pedipulator", which was controlled by the operator from the inside.

Despite these very interesting steps, they were not crowned with success. The costumes proved impractical, but research continued. In the 1980s, scientists at the Los Alamos Laboratory created the design for the so-called "Pitman" suit, an exoskeleton for use by American troops. However, the concept remained only on the drawing board. Since then, the world has seen several more developments, but the lack of materials and energy restrictions have not allowed us to see real suit"Iron Man".

For years, exoskeleton manufacturers have been stymied by the limits of technology. The computers were too slow to process the commands that set the suits in motion. The power supply was not enough to make the exoskeleton portable enough, and the electromechanical actuator muscles that moved the limbs were simply too weak and cumbersome to work "humanly". However, a start has been made. The idea of ​​an exoskeleton turned out to be too promising for the military and medical fields to just part with it.

machine man

In the early 2000s, the desire to create a real Iron Man suit began to lead somewhere.

Defense Advanced Development Agency (DARPA), an incubator for exotic and advanced technologies The Pentagon launched a $75 million program to build an exoskeleton to supplement human body and its performance. DARPA's list of requirements was quite ambitious: the agency wanted a vehicle that would allow a soldier to tirelessly carry hundreds of kilograms of cargo all day long, support large guns that usually require two operators, and also be able to carry a wounded soldier, if necessary, from the battlefield. At the same time, the car must be invulnerable to fire, and also jump high. The DARPA plan was immediately considered impossible by many.

But not all.

Sarcos — led by robot creator Steve Jacobsen, who had previously created an 80-ton mechanical dinosaur — came up with an innovative system in which sensors used these signals to control a set of valves, which in turn controlled hydraulics at high pressure in the joints. . Mechanical joints moved cylinders connected by cables that mimicked the tendons connecting human muscles. As a result, the experimental exoskeleton XOS was born, which made a person look like a giant insect. The Sarcos was eventually acquired by Raytheon, who continued development to introduce the second generation of the suit five years later.

The XOS 2 exoskeleton so excited the public that Time magazine included it in the list of the top five in 2010.

Meanwhile, other companies like Berkeley Bionics have been working to reduce the amount of power artificial prostheses require so that the exoskeleton can last long enough to be practical. One of the projects of the 2000s, Human Load Carrier (HULC), could work up to 20 hours without recharging. Little by little, progress was being made.

HAL exoskeleton

By the end of the decade Japanese company Cyberdyne has developed a HAL robotic suit that is even more incredible in its design. Instead of relying on the contractions of the human operator's muscles, HAL worked on sensors that read the electrical signals from the operator's brain. Theoretically, a HAL-5-based exoskeleton could allow the user to do whatever they want just by thinking about it, without moving a single muscle. But for now, these exoskeletons are a project of the future. And they have their own problems. For example, only a few exoskeletons have received public approval to date. The rest are still being tested.

Development issues

By 2010, the DARPA project to create exoskeletons led to some results. Currently, advanced exoskeleton systems weighing up to 20 kilograms can lift up to 100 kilograms of payload with little or no operator effort. At the same time, the latest exoskeletons are quieter than an office printer, can move at a speed of 16 km / h, squat and jump.

Not so long ago, one of the contractors of the defense agency, Lockheed Martin, presented its exoskeleton designed for weight lifting. The so-called "passive exoskeleton" created for shipyard workers simply transfers the load to the legs of the exoskeleton, which are on the ground.

The difference between modern exoskeletons and those developed in the 60s is that they are equipped with sensors and GPS receivers. Thus, even more raising the stakes for use in the military sphere. Soldiers could get a lot of benefits using such exoskeletons, from precise geolocation to additional superpowers. DARPA is also developing automated tissues that could be used in exoskeletons to monitor heart and breathing conditions.

If American industry continues to move this way, it will very soon have ones that can not only move "faster, higher, stronger", but also carry several hundred additional payloads. However, it will be at least a few more years before the real "iron men" enter the battlefield.

As is often the case, the developments of military agencies (think, for example, the Internet) can be of great benefit in peacetime, as technology will eventually come out and help people. Suffering from complete or partial paralysis, people with spinal cord injuries and muscle atrophy will be able to lead more fulfilling lives. Berkeley Bionics, for example, is testing eLegs, a battery-powered exoskeleton that will allow a person to walk, sit, or simply stand for long periods time.

One thing is for sure: the start of the process of rapid development of exoskeletons was laid at the beginning of this century (let's call it the second wave), and how it will end will become known very, very soon. Technologies never stand still, and if engineers take up something, they bring this matter to its logical end.