Researchers at the Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University are receiving an initial $2.9 million funding from DARPA to create a soft exoskeleton. The exoskeleton, dubbed Soft Exosuit, uses robotics and biomimetics to augment wearers' musculoskeletal system in order to reduce fatigue and injuries.
The Soft Exosuit soft exoskeleton doesn't use steel or plastic frames that would consume large amounts of power and interfere with wearers' natural movements. Rather, it uses computer-controlled textiles and wires that effectively function as robotic systems, mimicking wearers' muscles and tendons to boost their strength and reduce fatigue without adding to their bulk.
This soft exoskeleton may well be the project that takes wearable robotics to the next level. It's also a great example of a project that effectively brings together people from multiple disciplines working towards the same goal.
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