Smart outfit helps people to overcome their body limits

For a long time, science in general has always dreamed of reaching out to build machines that can turn people into true superheroes in life. Back in the 1960s, the US Pentagon sponsored General Electric's Hardiman project. Hardiman is an artificial skeleton aimed at helping users to lift loads up to nearly 700kg. And until half a century later, the Pentagon kept pouring money into these artificial skeleton.

Recently, the Wyss Engineering Research Institute of Harvard University has been selected by DARPA (American Advanced Defense Research Agency) as the industry leader in research and development of ministries. Smart costumes for soldiers to improve the fighting power of US troops on the battlefield.

The technologies used to create these superheroes are not just to mimic crazy science fiction movies. In fact, soldiers on the battlefield are facing challenges and need the support of advanced science and technology. Despite the development technique, today's infantrymen still had to carry heavy military equipment on their backs on the battlefield. Certainly it will be difficult if you have to fight when you have to carry a weight equal to a normal person on your back. However, it is absolutely impossible to dispose of these pieces, certainly we don't want to get in trouble if we accidentally get lost after participating in the battle, the lack of necessary tools in the bags This horrible heavy can make the trouble increase.

Raytheon's efforts to create an artificial XOS2 skeleton or Lockheed Martin's creation of HULC are what we have achieved today. However, in these products there still exist shortcomings that need to be repaired. One of the disadvantages of using these products is the energy problem. Even if giant batteries are installed with these products, they are still hard to operate for long periods of time. A must-see omission of these artificial skeleton frames is their bulky size, which cannot be operated in small spaces, needing flexibility. The perfect Iron Man costumes still exist only on movies.

The smart outfit of the Wyss Academy aims to support soldiers on the battlefield naturally based on the soldiers' bodies. Since this smart outfit is still in the early stages of research, we still don't have much detailed information. However, through the new outline revealed, we can see the pants section of the outfit. Unlike artificial skeleton, Wyss smart outfit is made of soft material.

This smart outfit will be lighter, more restrained than the artificial skeleton, they can be worn close to the body under the outer uniform. According to what was revealed, this smart outfit is responsible for sensing the movements of the soldiers, supporting them, making them able to move more gently, lifting larger weights as well as making Slow process of body fatigue. Perhaps its effect is not reached to the level of artificial skeleton frames, however, users get the flexibility needed on the battlefield.

Cornor Walsh - Head of design team at Wyss Academy.

The elastic fabric to create Wyss smart outfit will be designed with sensors to be able to track soldiers. The elastic fabric will help the soldier with less friction to cause swelling during use. In addition, the sensors in the outfit will vibrate slightly at some point on the body like massage if the soldier feels tired.

The $ 2.6 million contract signed by DARPA with the Wyss Academy team so they can complete their design. Although this design was originally intended to be used for military purposes, the research team offered to use it for civilian purposes such as providing workers in the construction profession or for the elderly who need assistance in daily activities. Although the reason is aimed at serving people's lives or ensuring the safety of soldiers on the front, let's hope that the early research program is completed and brought to life.

Reference: Gizmag