Posted on 05/02/2008 8:15:08 PM PDT by robomatik
Berkeley Bionics™, formerly Berkeley ExoWorks, designs and manufactures lower extremity exoskeletons to augment human strength and endurance during locomotion.
The exoskeleton is comprised of two powered anthropomorphic legs, a power unit, small on-board microcomputer, and a backpack-like frame on which a variety of heavy loads can be mounted.
This system provides its pilot (i.e. its wearer) with the ability to carry significant loads (up to 150 pounds) on his/her back with minimal effort over any type of terrain for extended periods of time without reducing his/her agility. The pilot's physical effectiveness increases significantly since he/she does not feel the backpack weight.
There is no joystick, pushbutton, or keyboard to “drive” the exoskeleton; the pilot becomes an integral part of the exoskeleton while walking. An on-board micro-computer ensures that the exoskeleton moves in concert with the pilot with minimal interaction force between the two.
Our exoskeletons' unique design offers an ergonomic, highly maneuverable, mechanically robust, lightweight, and durable outfit to surpass typical human limitations. The exoskeletons designed by Berkeley Bionics™ have numerous applications; they can provide soldiers, disaster relief workers, wildfire fighters, and other emergency personnel the ability to carry major loads such as food, rescue equipment, first-aid supplies, communications gear, and weaponry without the strain typically associated with demanding labor.
Our exoskeletons incorporate breakthrough technologies that will provide a versatile transport platform for mission-critical equipment.
Our mission is to develop the best human rehabilitation, restoration, and augmentation systems in the world.
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The Human Universal Load Carrier (HULC™) is the third generation exoskeleton system from Berkeley Bionics. It incorporates the features of ExoHiker™ and ExoClimber™, exhibiting two independent characteristics:
1) It takes up to 200 pounds without impeding the wearer (Strength Augmentation)
2) It decreases its wearer's metabolic cost (Endurance Augmentation).
While the first characteristic requires little explanation, the 2nd characteristic is a compelling and a competitive advantage of HULC™ completely absent in any other exoskeleton system. During some preliminary evaluations, the oxygen consumption of the users walking at a speed of 2 MPH, was decreased by 5%~12% when using our HULC™ without a payload. When the users carried a load, the effect was more pronounced. The oxygen consumption of these users carrying an 81 pound approach load at a speed of 2MPH was decreased by about 15% when using the prototype HULC™.
The reduction of the wearer's metabolic cost is of paramount importance for long duration missions. This is true because excessive oxygen consumption leads to premature fatigue even if the exoskeleton supports the load. In fact, a very recent BAA from the Natick Soldier System Center requests proposals to conduct a preliminary study on solutions that lead to a reduction of oxygen consumption. HULC™, fueled by proprietary technology, decreases the wearer's oxygen consumption and heart rate thereby increasing the wearer's endurance.
Several field ready HULCs™ will be available for live demonstration in early 2008. Berkeley Bionics is now accepting orders for prototype HULC™ systems.
What HE said!!
You are so logical...
*hug*
Robert Heinlein would be proud.
Wow... looks really good. Appears to be well thought-out.
I was impressed by the shot of the guy running with this thing and a full pack. I wonder what that feels like, compared to without it? Imagine troops able to run or jog with a full load, but only the energy output of a fast walk, or an unloaded jog?
Wow. Combine this with the advances in the robotic “mule” systems... and the whole capability of infantry goes up an order of magnitude.
Or a nunnery, or an artillery?
Er...a crackery would produce crack pots?...
i used to laugh at the "army of one" slogan, but with this, "mules," advanced electronics, satellites, ucav's, and improved weaponry -who knows.
i think that it was in the paper, "unrestricted warfare" that two chi-com colonels wrote that in the future, a three man team could possibly take control of a small to medium sized city.
If it’s the real deal, the Marines will buy them in a few years.
Or the Israelis. Or both.
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