In the trenchesRaytheon engineers show Iron Man suit
The new robotic suit enables the wearer easily to lift 200lb several hundred times without tiring and repeatedly punch through three inches of wood; yet, the suit, which was developed for the U.S. Army, is also agile and graceful enough to let its wearer kick a football, punch a speed bag, or climb stairs and ramps with ease
Engineers at Raytheon have unveiled a second-generation exoskeleton called XOS 2 at the company’s research facility in Salt Lake City, Utah.
The new robotic suit is lighter, faster, and stronger than its predecessor, yet it uses 50 percent less power. Its enhanced design also means that it is more resistant to the environment.
The suit is built from a combination of structures, sensors, actuators, and controllers, and it is powered by high-pressure hydraulics. It enables its wearer to easily lift 200lb several hundred times without tiring and repeatedly punch through three inches of wood. Yet, the suit, which was developed for the U.S. Army, is also agile and graceful enough to let its wearer kick a football, punch a speed bag, or climb stairs and ramps with ease.
“XOS 1 was essentially a proof of concept,” said Dr. Fraser Smith, vice-president of operations for Raytheon Sarcos. “With XOS 2, we targeted power consumption and looked for ways to use the hydraulic energy more efficiently. That’s resulted in us being able to add capabilities while significantly reducing power consumption.”
Raytheon is developing the robotic suit to help with logistics challenges faced by the military. Repetitive heavy lifting can lead to injuries, orthopedic injuries in particular. The XOS 2 does the lifting for its operator, reducing strain and exertion. It also does the work faster. One operator in an exoskeleton suit can do the work of two to three soldiers.
Raytheon’s Exoskeleton has been called the real Iron Man suit because of its ability to enhance the wearer’s strength and endurance in a way that is reminiscent of Tony Stark’s high-tech suit in the films.
Engineers at Raytheon have unveiled a second-generation exoskeleton called XOS 2 at the company’s research facility in Salt Lake City, Utah.
The new robotic suit is lighter, faster, and stronger than its predecessor, yet it uses 50 percent less power. Its enhanced design also means that it is more resistant to the environment.
The suit is built from a combination of structures, sensors, actuators, and controllers, and it is powered by high-pressure hydraulics. It enables its wearer to easily lift 200lb several hundred times without tiring and repeatedly punch through three inches of wood. Yet, the suit, which was developed for the U.S. Army, is also agile and graceful enough to let its wearer kick a football, punch a speed bag, or climb stairs and ramps with ease.
“XOS 1 was essentially a proof of concept,” said Dr. Fraser Smith, vice-president of operations for Raytheon Sarcos. “With XOS 2, we targeted power consumption and looked for ways to use the hydraulic energy more efficiently. That’s resulted in us being able to add capabilities while significantly reducing power consumption.”
Raytheon is developing the robotic suit to help with logistics challenges faced by the military. Repetitive heavy lifting can lead to injuries, orthopedic injuries in particular. The XOS 2 does the lifting for its operator, reducing strain and exertion. It also does the work faster. One operator in an exoskeleton suit can do the work of two to three soldiers.
