Exoskeletons available to buy and use in 2020, industry overview
Exoskeletons give remarkable abilities to ordinary people by adding an external reinforcement that is often shaped like bones but is made of metals or other robust materials. In science fiction (future), superhero films, and other popular culture works, exoskeletons have endowed their users with superior strength, speed, and even powerful flight.
Exoskeletons must be integrated into robotic arms, collaborative robots and mobile robots using advanced location technologies, haptics and gesture control.
In recent years, developers have focused on smaller, more specialized exoskeleton projects that target a specific part of the body, although full-body suits are also used.
Japan and USA are leading countries in Exoskeletons researching and production industry.
There are hundreds of projects related to exoskeletons produced by University teams, Small engineering groups, as aclose projects of tech companies. I tried to mention products which are available on sale and aren’t prototypes.
Guardian XO — is one of the most advantaged exoskeletons at the moment
Guardian XO® by Sacros Robotics is “a triumph of possibility: full-body, powered exoskeleton augments operator strength without restricting freedom of movement to boost productivity while dramatically reducing injuries.”
Japanese making exoskeletons like in anime
Product 4: SKELETONICS ARRIVE — This model has many functions and makes it possible to perform with various unprecedented movements. In addition, it succeeded in connecting the upper body and lower body, which could not be realized until now. The burden on the human body has been reduced, and the boarding time has improved.
Size: 2.8m
Weight: 40kg
Wearing Time: 1min
Operating Time: 60min
Some of the exoskeletons industry problems
➡️ Hard drives, batteries and circuits are exposed to excessive vibrations and may destruct.
➡️Protecting the human operator from himself could be the most important aspect of successfully controlling a robot exoskeleton.
➡️The exoskeletons must either be adaptable or adapted to the individual user.
➡️Exoskeletons are still too expensive (in 2020) — the prices starting from several dozens of thousands of dollars per 1 instance.
How to sit on the air — Chairless chairs
Chairless chairs are lightweight exoskeletons that snap into place and help the user squat or stand in the same position for an extended period of time.
Spheres where exoskeletons are used
➡️Exoskeletons are increasingly being used in industrial environments where physical interactions with high-weight things occur.
➡️Passive systems are typically popular for use in the construction and manufacturing industries because these suits are less expensive and no actuators are required to relieve the user of the exoskeleton of payload or body weight.
➡️Exoskeletons grant move-ability loss people the opportunity to walk, work and feel better.
➡️Exoskeletons can help to significantly advantage on the battlefield. US Army plans to use exoskeleton to increase the move-ability and speed of ground forces.
The Grasshopper, or the Hopper by IHMC to increase the human’s strength
Another one exoskeleton is Hopper by IHMC robotics. When using external parallel springs, Hopper reduced the mechanical work done by the legs and significantly reduced metabolic requirements compared to bouncing without wearing an exoskeleton. In contrast, with a parallel mechanism, the bodyweight could be transferred directly to the floor through the exoskeleton, reducing the stresses borne by the biological limbs and the metabolic requirement for walking, running and jumping.
This portable machine is designed for medical, military and industrial applications and support people with reduced mobility, increase the strength and endurance of people and reduce the risk of accidents at work.
The future of ocean exploration - Nuytco Exosuit
This is not exoskeleton in classic meaning but should be mentioned
Nuytco Exosuit this hard metal dive suit allows divers to operate safely down to a depth of 1000 feet and yet still have exceptional dexterity and flexibility to perform delicate work.
Other Mentionable Exoskeletons researchers and producers
Ekso Bionics develops technology to enhance human mobility, strength, and endurance.
Researchers at Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences measures human physiological signals such as heart rate and respiratory rate while the subject wears a soft exoskeleton to perform various tasks.
ReWalk is an Israeli start-up, developing exoskeleton to aid movement for people with lower-body paralysis
Cyberdyne HAL is a venture firm which is established by Dr Yoshiyuki Sankai, University of Tsukuba, Japan, in order to materialize his idea to utilize Robot Suit HAL for the benefits of humankind in the field of medicine, caregiving, welfare, labour, heavy works, entertainment and so on. Robot Suit HAL was developed with the technologies created in Sankai Laboratory of Tsukuba University as an application of “Cybernetics” advocated by Prof. Sankai.
ActiveLink is a subsidiary of Panasonic. Its device is among a small but growing number of exoskeletons available commercially — less fantastic and more cumbersome versions of a technology that’s been a staple of science fiction for some time. Though they have mainly been tested in medical and military settings, the technology is starting to move beyond these use niches, and it could make a difference for many manual labourers, especially as the workforce ages.
Enhanced list of Exoskeletons constructors is here…
Subscribe to r/exoskeleton on Reddit to stay in touch with the best industry insights
