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from the kids-will-finally-have-the-strength-to-carry-their-schoolbooks dept.
NextBigFuture highlights this passive exoskeleton proof-of-concept being tested by the Australian Defence Science and Technology Group:
The current generation of powered exoskeletons uses a complex system of rigid linkages and mechatronics. They are showing real promise in enabling the wearer to lift and move about with very heavy loads.
However, the design and natural movement of the human body tends to battle with the exoskeleton movement, causing a dramatic increase in the user's energy cost when walking with a load. These systems tend to be heavy (>35 kg), very expensive and power hungry.
Defence science and technology researchers have developed a simple, lightweight (3 kg) fully-passive exoskeleton. This system uses Bowden cables to attached to a rigid backpack frame. The cables run down the back and legs to the base of the boot and transfer approximately two thirds of the backpack load to the ground. This load force bypasses the user's body, reducing compression forces from the backpack load through the torso and legs.
The benefits of such a system compared to a powered exoskeleton include: simplicity, no requirements for heavy batteries; low cost; easier to integrate with the user and equipment and redundancy when no longer required – remove and add to pack.
The development is at a proof-of-concept stage with early testing showing encouraging results. However, the biomechanics of the system require extensive refinement to ensure it is integrated optimally with the soldier and truly fit for purpose.
Earlier in the year, Carnegie Mellon and North Carolina State researchers showed off a prototype ankle exoskeleton that reduces the metabolic cost of walking by approximately 7 percent, which is about the equivalent of taking off a 10-pound backpack.
(Score: 1, Interesting) by Anonymous Coward on Monday August 24 2015, @05:29PM
Have you ever heard of lightweight and ultralight backpacking? Take half of their advice and you can get a base pack weight with camera gear for 15 pounds. Take all their advice and you will realize just how little all of us really need.
An example: A standard tent starts at about five pounds. A modern backpacking tent weighs in at just under three pounds all included. If you have trekking poles switch to a tent that uses those for double-duty instead. Now you are down to about a pound and a half for shelter. Like hammocks and go somewhere that has trees? Take a hammock and you are down to a pound. All you really, truly need is something that keeps the rain off: bivvy with bugnet and you are down to the weight of a candybar. But the most important advice is this: The most weight you can cut off of any object is 100%; by leaving it at home.
Apply the level of that reasoning you are comfortable with to all your gear and you will never call your pack heavy again.