Robotic Exoskeletons: Enhancing Human Strength

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the development and potential applications of robotic exoskeletons, particularly focusing on their ability to enhance human strength and serve as assistive devices for individuals with injuries or disabilities. Participants explore various aspects of these technologies, including their design, performance, and cultural references.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express excitement about the potential of robotic exoskeletons to augment human strength and assist with mobility during recovery from injuries.
  • One participant compares the new exoskeleton design from CYBERDYNE to existing knee braces, questioning the advancements made.
  • Another participant highlights the impressive lifting capacity of exoskeletons, suggesting they could allow users to lift significantly more weight than they currently can.
  • Concerns about the cost of these technologies are raised, with speculation that they may be expensive at present.
  • There are references to the cultural impact of exoskeletons, including their portrayal in media such as the Iron Man movie, with some participants expressing disappointment in the lack of real technology representation in such narratives.
  • Humorous remarks are made regarding the potential for exoskeletons to enhance everyday activities, with playful banter about their use in school settings and lifting capabilities.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a mix of enthusiasm and skepticism regarding the advancements in robotic exoskeletons. There is no consensus on their effectiveness compared to existing technologies like knee braces, and discussions about their cost and practical applications remain unresolved.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference various performance metrics and cultural implications without providing definitive comparisons or outcomes. The discussion includes speculative statements about lifting capabilities and the impact of exoskeletons on physical health.

Who May Find This Useful

Readers interested in robotics, assistive technologies, and their applications in both medical and military contexts may find this discussion relevant.

Ivan Seeking
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The prospect of slipping into a robotic exoskeleton that could enhance strength, keep the body active while recovering from an injury or even serve as a prosthetic limb has great appeal. Unlike the svelt body armor donned by Iron Man, however, most exoskeletons to date have looked more like clunky spare parts cobbled together.

Japan's CYBERDYNE, Inc. is hoping to change that with a sleek, white exoskeleton now in the works that it says can augment the body's own strength or do the work of ailing (or missing) limbs. The company is confident enough in its new technology to have started construction on a new lab expected to mass-produce up to 500 robotic power suits (think Star Wars storm trooper without the helmet) annually, beginning in October, according to Japan's Kyodo News Web site. [continued]
http://www.sciam.com/media/inline/A070BA0E-9DA1-A982-E2844D04DDC05DC6_1.jpg
http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?id=real-life-iron-man-exoskeleton
 
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My friend showed me the video of the Raytheon one, and reading the title I thought it was the same video clip and rolled my eyes before clicking. However, I must say, this looks MUCH MUCH more advanced and better than the one from Raytheon. I don't know how they compare peformancewise, but this one looks amazing. :!)

Hahah, its called 'HAL'

http://www.cyberdyne.jp/robotsuithal/img/img_robotsuithal.jpg

Please disengage the suit HAL, "Im sorry, I can't do that dave"


Damn those japs are good at technology.
 
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Is it just me or do those suits look like much clunkier versions of things like knee braces that we already have?
 
Knee braces don't let you lift 300lbs.
 
Vengeance for nerds has come! Imagine walking around the schoolyard like this. :biggrin:
 
Poop-Loops said:
Knee braces don't let you lift 300lbs.

i can already lift 300lbs, does that mean that now i'll be able to lift 600?
 
Probably pretty expensive right now.
 
Remember, no curry before getting strapped in.
 
I mentioned the military application versions of this to Favaro (on a forum he started for fan input) to possibly use in the Iron Man movie. I also mentioned several other sorts of real technology that he could have used as part of the story and explanation of how the suit works or was designed. While I liked the movie I was rather disappointed that he didn't use ANY real technology to describe how the Iron Man suit works. :-/
 
  • #10
The Japanese never cease to amaze/ scare/ confuse/ hilliariate (is that a word? Anyways, make me laugh)...
 
  • #11
ice109 said:
i can already lift 300lbs, does that mean that now i'll be able to lift 600?

No, now you'll be able to lift 300lbs without giving yourself a hernia.
 
  • #12
Poop-Loops said:
No, now you'll be able to lift 300lbs without giving yourself a hernia.

meh I've gone as high as 405 and my groin is fine.
 
  • #13
Deadlift?
 

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