POWERED EXOSKELETONS

Powered exoskeletons are wearable mobile machines powered by a system of electric motors, pneumatics, levers, hydraulics, sensors or a combination of technologies that allow for limb movement with increased strength and endurance. This technology is developing very fast and is already in use in many fields. People with movements related disability will be able to move very easily. Precision will be increased in surgeries. Developing a full body suit that meets the needs of soldiers has been proven challenging, but new and advanced designs with improved technologies and software will definitely benefit the military, police, fire-fighters later on. Modern Industries directly use these kinds of machines for efficient business. Though it makes you stronger, run faster, jump higher, still one of the biggest challenges engineers face is power supply if they are to be worn in the field. They risk explosion, might require frequent charging. Yet hydrogen cells have been used in some prototypes. Other challenges are that they should not be heavy, joint flexibility should mimic human movement flawlessly, the algorithms controlling power and modulation should be highly efficient, adaptation to user size variations. This technology is not user-friendly yet but lots of private companies and governments as well have started to invest more for research purposes. Powered exoskeletons date back to 1890 which used energy stored in compressed gas bags to assist movements made by Nicholas Yagin. In 1917 Leslie C. Kelley developed pedometer which operated on steam power with artificial ligaments acting in parallel to the wearer’s movement. Lastly, this technology will definitely help make this planet a better place to live.

- Souvik Naskar
AEIE 1st year
Heritage Institute of Technology,
Kolkata.

Sources: Google images, online blogs and magazine.

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