The Pentagon is spending millions to test out exoskeletons to help build ‘super-soldiers’
December 3, 2018WASHINGTON — The US Army is investing millions of dollars in experimental exoskeleton technology to make soldiers stronger and more resilient, in what experts say is part of a broader push into advanced gear to equip a new generation of “super-soldiers.”
The technology is being developed by Lockheed Martin Corp. with a license from the Canada-based
B-Temia, which first developed the exoskeletons to help people with mobility difficulties stemming from medical ailments like multiple sclerosis and severe osteoarthritis.
Worn over a pair of trousers, the battery-operated exoskeleton uses a suite of sensors, artificial intelligence, and other technology to aid natural movements.
For the US military, the appeal of such technology is clear: Soldiers now deploy into war zones bogged down by heavy but critical gear like body armor, night-vision goggles, and advanced radios. Altogether, that can weigh anywhere from 90 to 140 pounds (40 to 64 kilograms), when the recommended limit is just 50 pounds.