Berkeley Lower Extremity Exoskeleton: Giving Soldiers a Boost
Berkeley Lower Extremity Exoskeleton: Giving Soldiers A Boost
Listen up you video-game-playing hooligans, DARPA and the U.S. military are at it again trying to impress us, the video game playing community, with badass mech jobbers like this. This is the Berkeley lower extremity exoskeleton (Bleex). The Bleex 1 has been in the works for a while and it seems they have begun work on the 2nd prototype, the Bleex 2. The exoskeleton system has two hydraulic leg braces that include 40 electronic sensors, a monitoring computer and an internal-combustion engine. The exoskeleton is attached to the legs of the soldier and allows for backpack loads upwards of 220 lbs to be carried with ease. Eat your heart out, Robocop.
Trend Themes
1. Exoskeleton-based Technology - The development of exoskeleton-based technology for heavy load bearing can have disruptive innovation opportunities in industries such as military, logistics, and construction.
2. Hydraulic Leg Braces - The use of hydraulic leg braces in exoskeleton technology is a trend applicable to industries such as healthcare, manufacturing, and athletics, with potential for efficiency and safety improvements.
3. Sensor Integration - The trend towards integration of electronic sensors in exoskeleton systems has potential to create innovative solutions for industries such as agriculture, mining, and search and rescue.
Industry Implications
1. Military - The development of exoskeleton-based technology has disruptive innovation opportunities for the military industry to enhance soldiers' capabilities in combat and heavy lifting.
2. Logistics - Exoskeleton technology presents a disruptive innovation opportunity in the logistics industry to better handle heavy object movement and reduce manual labor costs.
3. Healthcare - Hydraulic leg braces and exoskeleton technology have potential to create innovative assistive devices for individuals with mobility challenges or injuries in the healthcare industry.