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Carry 200 lbs with minimal effort with Exoskeleton

newscientist.com — Berkeley Bionics has started taking orders for prototypes of their Human Universal Load Carrier (HULC) exoskeletons. Berkeley Bionics has spent the last several years developing and working to perfect their exoskeletons, which augment both a person's lifting strength and endurance.

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  • hdar3415, on 05/31/2008, -12/+171So now my ex wifes soon to be husband can carry her over the threshold...
    • RyeBrye, on 06/01/2008, -8/+70with a couple of hyphens, that sentence would have been a lot easier to understand....
      • bmc31190, on 06/01/2008, -27/+11you must be pretty slow if some missing hyphens made it that much more difficult to read. Its pretty obvious what he was saying.
      • jakbqwic, on 06/01/2008, -11/+10A sentence must begin with a capital letter....yawn.
        • pharmakon, on 06/01/2008, -1/+3yeah, and an ellipsis should be three dots, designating a break in quotation, but no one cares.
      • Syujinkou, on 06/01/2008, -7/+15So now my ex wife-soon-to-be-husband can carry her over the threshold...
        • Ainsleh, on 06/01/2008, -0/+8Almost, but not quite.
        • Lochie, on 06/01/2008, -0/+8So now my ex-wife's soon-to-be husband can carry her over the threshold...
        • Anonchrist, on 06/03/2008, -0/+1Clearly, we are all retarded.
      • comedianX, on 06/01/2008, -1/+4So... now my ex-wife's new husband can actually carry her over the threshold?

        Version 2.0.2
    • sarixe, on 06/01/2008, -21/+2wives, not wifes
      /s
      • Vampired, on 06/01/2008, -1/+21wife's?
        • sarixe, on 06/08/2008, -0/+1i know... that was the joke. apparently nobody got it, or nobody thought it was funny. i'm thinking the latter.
      • CaviMike, on 06/01/2008, -1/+14Oh the irony, it hurts
    • kp3469, on 06/01/2008, -2/+52"Hold on honey, I just need to strap on this exoskeleton before I try to carry your fat ass over the threshold."

      End Marriage.
    • cherouvim, on 06/01/2008, -12/+3Talking like that for your ex doesn't make you look good.
      • smcavoy, on 06/01/2008, -1/+9good thing we can't see him then
      • growler1, on 06/01/2008, -1/+12On the other hand, I kind of enjoy acidic wit toward one's failed matrimonials.
      • FreshPineSent, on 06/01/2008, -0/+2Good thing she's his EX!
    • springo, on 06/01/2008, -10/+5Do I suck at Photoshop?
    • staffell, on 06/01/2008, -2/+3"That's great news for the military, surely the key market for this kind of technology"

      i wonder when they'll start selling these to the so called "terrorists"
      • blackinthmiddle, on 06/02/2008, -0/+1It's probably expensive and wouldn't be given to your average soldier, who can stop bullets just fine without it.
    • WomensUnderwear, on 06/01/2008, -3/+0you suck at photoshop
    • jseres, on 06/02/2008, -0/+1Looks like some people never really grow out of the high school mentality.
    • binorgog, on 08/07/2008, -0/+1I can carry a lot more than 200 pounds on my back now without a exoskeleton I'm gay and practice!
  • copaceticZ, on 05/31/2008, -10/+22how much exactly does one of these things cost?
    • solfizz, on 06/01/2008, -1/+11An arm and a leg!
    • Namelessthinker, on 06/01/2008, -1/+15About tree-fiddy.
      • keenkumar, on 06/01/2008, -0/+3DAMN LOCH NESS MONSTER!
      • noseeme, on 06/01/2008, -0/+1Lawd Thomas, dere's fog on the moors...
        • 1807, on 06/01/2008, -0/+2I gave him a dolla. YOU GAVE HIM A DOLLA? NO WONDER HE CAME BACK!
    • noseeme, on 06/01/2008, -0/+7I don't know, but it's really fun until it malfunctions and bends your knee forwards at a 90 degree angle and you leg snaps out of its socket.
    • Ralan, on 06/01/2008, -0/+1I think its one of those things where if you have to ask, you can't afford it. You can always try preordering it and find out.
    • jman583, on 06/01/2008, -0/+4200 lbs... of gold.
  • slayerab, on 06/01/2008, -10/+7Robocop... coming soon
    • gquaglia, on 06/01/2008, -1/+7More like the loader in Aliens.
      • RRJackson, on 06/01/2008, -0/+1"Get away from my exoskeleton, you BITCH!"

        Caterpillar better get on the case or that power loader is going to have a Berkeley Bionics logo on it.
    • RRJackson, on 06/01/2008, -0/+2You know, the thing that comes to mind when I see that they're targeting military applications isn't load-lifting in the sense of a payload, but in the sense of heavy armor. Guys in powered armor should potentially be able to stop worrying about sniper fire and small IEDs. Of course, it's not practical unless they find some way to keep the "pilot" from feeling like he's in a kiln. Then the big problem would be to avoid looking like Imperial Stormtroopers.
    • count011, on 06/01/2008, -0/+2I'm thinking more like Starship Troopers... The book, not the movie. Where they have full body powered-armor suits that can "jump", with jet burst assistance, long distances. Strap on a fat caliber chain gun and a couple rockets, aside from being incredibly conspicuous on a battlefield, and you've got an unstoppable weapon.

      As for being trapped in a kiln... Just water cool the whole ***** with reserves for drinking.
  • Emused, on 06/01/2008, -17/+23Speaking for all the other BBW lovers out there, I say, "WTF" only 200 pounds?, work with us people.
    • Divals, on 06/01/2008, -1/+11I'm glad I'm not the only one who was thinking that.
    • Ademan, on 06/01/2008, -0/+2So you like fat chicks... but can't carry them? way to go.
    • Typhoon2009, on 06/01/2008, -1/+3The other 4 "BBW" lovers?
    • count011, on 06/01/2008, -0/+2I'm sure industrial models with 500 lb limits will come around eventually.
    • sgregory416, on 06/01/2008, -0/+1if you really want to date fat girls, maybe you should be a bit stronger.
    • jseres, on 06/02/2008, -0/+1It's not that you can only carry 200 lbs, I think it is more or less like making 200 lbs feel weightless. So if your BBW weighs 300 lbs it is really like carrying a petite woman.
      • MarsSentinel, on 06/02/2008, -1/+2Are there special robo-glasses so your BFAW (I mean, BBW) looks normal and doesn't make you puke thru ur nose?
        • Divals, on 06/05/2008, -0/+1I'd rather have special robo-glasses to cause people who hate on fat chicks to burst into flame.

          In other words, DIE IN A FIRE.
  • TobiasParker, on 06/01/2008, -15/+15Soon i will have my revenge!
  • ljsmithx, on 06/01/2008, -10/+1*****
  • Scottc320, on 06/01/2008, -16/+3o rly
  • robbiemuffin, on 06/01/2008, -4/+9I wonder if there is a sort of inverse version of this that can help for gaining flexability or retraining muscle movement ... that sort of thing. this looks a little like health care in the making to me
    • kublerross, on 06/01/2008, -2/+115-10% reduction in energy while walking

      actually, sounds like throwing fuel on the fire of obesity to me

      just what this country needs, another device to help us use even less calories
      • Ademan, on 06/01/2008, -0/+2Well, I think he was saying what if there was a version that provided resistance.
      • D14BL0, on 06/02/2008, -0/+2I don't think you read his post properly. He's talking about ADDING resistance.
      • robbiemuffin, on 06/08/2008, -0/+1from the perspective of a physical therapist, I'm talking about adding resistance. From the perspective of the suit manufacturers, I'm talking aobut using the human body almost like a strength-training system that adds it's resistance against the suit.

        The relationship to highlight here is that, one can either exercise strength, this is done with (normal) resistance and the opposite of that is mobility, this is done with (inverse) resistance.
    • megamod, on 06/01/2008, -1/+1with his bad posture on the thumbnail it looks like it could actually make you require some health care...
  • P4NNY, on 06/01/2008, -8/+5Good hunting, stalker!
    • Rosco, on 06/01/2008, -0/+2First thing that came to my mind, bravo.
  • JFallon126, on 06/01/2008, -7/+5Hmm...it still seems you have to bend over at a weird angle when you're carrying those heavy loads...otherwise this is pretty sweet.
    • Prismatic, on 06/01/2008, -0/+15That's to maintain your center of gravity, the unit still bares the weight.
      • kerracked, on 06/01/2008, -0/+6Yeah, I'd always be forgetting it was there, and just tip over backwards.
    • amazingleper, on 06/01/2008, -0/+9As a mover, I personally prefer to carry loads on my back anyways. Applications for moving companies would be exorbitant.
      • mysedai, on 06/01/2008, -0/+12Yeah, but can you imagine dealing with the insurance companies when HULC SMASH!
  • bobbles, on 06/01/2008, -1/+11wow this thing really does look flexible, should be great for helping rehabilitation for injuries and things like that (i ***** up my ankle once and one of these would have made life a lot easier)
  • giveer, on 06/01/2008, -5/+43Let me know when I they release a model that I can use to beat the ***** out of aliens.
  • mikephimikephi, on 06/01/2008, -6/+3Yet another example of people coming up with the acronym first, and then filling in the blanks
  • MarkCiccone, on 06/01/2008, -6/+139I love the youtube comment at the youtube link:

    ===========
    zerious358 (1 day ago):
    "someday maybe"
    ===========
    Someday maybe? Aren't we watching a video of the device in action? Doesn't that mean it already exists!? Christ youtube...
    • goldenratiophi, on 06/01/2008, -1/+9YouTube has the stupidest commenters on the internet.
    • EricAnderton, on 06/02/2008, -0/+1Looking for sense and reason on Youtube is like trying to find the same in a mental ward. It's all practically grafitti.
    • DharmaTurtle, on 06/02/2008, -0/+1...maybe he meant that someday he would have one.

      Dur.
  • Chairboy, on 06/01/2008, -9/+4http://hallert.net/powerloader/

    In addition to carrying loads, the grippers on mine are perfect for loading munitions into your drop ship and/or wrestling with large alien queens*.

    All I need is a catchy DoD presentation video and I'll be set for life!

    * Not to be confused with residents of Queens, NY who are visiting from other countries (though that might work too).
    • Diggnabbit, on 06/01/2008, -2/+3Leave her alone, you bitch!"
    • count011, on 06/01/2008, -2/+1dugg down because the crap on the site is impossible to read. grey subtext on whitish-grey background come the ***** on.
  • gmiley, on 06/01/2008, -2/+37I would like to see upper-body attachments that work with the arms for lifting, pushing/pulling, and of course zombie and other undead fighting.
    • dn11, on 06/01/2008, -0/+1stick a flame thrower on it and I'll be interested
  • foolfoolz, on 06/01/2008, -1/+38now all my friends are going to be like "So im moving this weekend... and I just thought since you have that exoskeleton..."
    • corvairkid, on 06/01/2008, -1/+1Well sure, I COULD help you but only if I get to carry a couch up some stairs.
  • subbzzz, on 06/01/2008, -5/+18Human Universal Load Karrier (HULK).. There.. Changed it for you!

    Seriously, This sure is a step in the right direction.. But anyway, All these robots and exoskeletons remind me of Anime..
    • somestranger26, on 06/01/2008, -0/+3I didn't know the KDE project designed this exoskeleton!
  • Hangly, on 06/01/2008, -12/+7Yay, another way for Americans to avoid exercise!
    • mysedai, on 06/01/2008, -0/+6Or, a way for people who work in heavy labor to maximize their efficiency. Practically the same thing though, right?

      Is it just me, or does anybody else read one of these blanket "Americans hate excercise" comments and picture some tubby bastard in a sparsely-furnished room with just enough light to show off his pasty complexion, ***** up teeth and bad clothes?
    • bmc31190, on 06/01/2008, -0/+4Right, because no one from another country is allowed to use one. Just americans.
    • count011, on 06/01/2008, -0/+1Well they can use it but, they have to pay double.
  • ladbroke, on 06/01/2008, -3/+4The thing that bothers me about defense technoligists is this underlying assumption that new gadgets can trump any enemy, and I just don't buy it. The technology-based branches like the Navy and Air Force place so much effort in accruing the newest weapons--and they should, because it forms the bulk of their force projection, and besides, when was the last time someone fought an insurgency in the air or at sea? The thing that bothers me is that I see that mentality always creeping into the Army, and they end up placing too much effort in acquisition and not enough focus on bread-and-butter warfare. The lowly Marine Corps, while certainly not without its own zeal for questionable acquisitions, seems to be the only branch concerned with doing more with less, although more out of the necessity that comes from smaller budgets.

    My point is this thing is great and no doubt it has military applications, but the ideas about their usage need to be narrowed. This isn't something every servicemember should be issued along side their M16/M4. This thing introduces a lot more what-ifs than it provides answers. I think the worst thing I could imagine is an Army of bionic soldiers depending wholly on technology and forsaking their training and wits. This this is awesome, in a gee-golly-I-wish-I-had-one way, but it's just going to end up another piece of overpriced equipment we don't use.
    • razrielle, on 06/01/2008, -1/+1you do know the airforce does much more then fly planes. they also do alot of cyber security applications. Also, every airmen, seamen, soldier, marine and coastie dont get issued m-16/m4/m9
      • raf797, on 06/01/2008, -0/+1I think ladbroke was trying to point out that the HULC isn't our golden bullet. This won't solve our problems. Also, a fundamental change in thought and approach, however smal, is most likely part of the solution.
  • KnifeEdged, on 06/01/2008, -4/+4bloody incredible! I'd love to try it on.
  • RyeBrye, on 06/01/2008, -4/+22"...which augment both a person's lifting strength and endurance."

    I get emails about this kind of thing every day... Oh wait - this is or the whole body? carry on then.
    • Arcesius, on 06/01/2008, -0/+2*queer look*... lifting strength???
  • mcool119, on 06/01/2008, -1/+6They should add powered arms and a kind of powered torso, then it could easily lift twice the weight and be used for a wider variety of tasks...
  • nwa122, on 06/01/2008, -2/+41"Mama says they was magic shoes. They could take me anywhere."
  • Aliwalla, on 06/01/2008, -1/+5Good to see America is on the cutting edge of technology
    • CaptainTater, on 06/01/2008, -0/+1I might just be stupid, but I can't tell if this is sarcasm.
  • CaviMike, on 06/01/2008, -4/+3Honestly it was pretty creepy watching him fold it up and stuff it in a bag.
  • Enjia, on 06/01/2008, -0/+13just don't fall in the water
  • Ratteler, on 06/01/2008, -2/+6When will we start seeing DIY kits for this?
  • Hillsbottom, on 06/01/2008, -3/+5What happens if you fall over with all that extra weight? Would you be crushed? and if not, can you get back up?
    • zeeky, on 06/01/2008, -1/+6200 pounds cant crush you
    • count011, on 06/01/2008, -0/+3did you not see the guy crawling around on the ground with the crap on and slowly standing back up? watch the ***** video people, don't just read the headline.
  • WiLdRiCe, on 06/01/2008, -10/+1i enjoy exercising far too much to have anything but pity for able bodied individuals who use this
    • theeldest, on 06/01/2008, -0/+3Have you ever done a bunch of backpacking?

      One of the things that limits how far you can go is how much food you can carry (unless you're the hardcore "I'm gonna eat bugs" type). This system for hikers would let backpackers reach more places.

      Why does everyone assume people would buy this, and only walk around the house with it on. I've done some 30 mile hikes, and boy, let me tell you, this would have been handy.
  • kp3469, on 06/01/2008, -2/+12Where are the hard-point mounts for my missile launchers?
  • mumuzov, on 06/01/2008, -7/+2Well, too bad the batteries are 400 lbs but if you plug it in the wall is good for gardening !!!
    • mitrovarr, on 06/01/2008, -0/+6They specify the weight with 'enough batteries for long-duration missions'. It's only 31 lb.

  • pak314, on 06/01/2008, -5/+1For even less effort, just pay a mover some money to do it for you.
  • over900000, on 06/01/2008, -1/+6I thought Japan already did this?
  • ZutroyZuuts, on 06/01/2008, -1/+10I like the Sarcos Exoskeleton.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IYWd2C3XVIk
    • kodax, on 06/01/2008, -1/+5The key is not the exo skeleton. The technological obstacle is the mobile power supply. The Sarcos has a big cable and needs to be plugged in. This one is field ready.

      • basilan, on 06/01/2008, -0/+4The Sarcos company says they're aiming for a portable power supply. When that happens, the Sarcos version is going to be pretty awesome.
      • count011, on 06/01/2008, -0/+1I see the improved performance, but clearly you're not going to carry one of those around with you or strap it on mid-field by yourself. I can definitely see it being the power loader equivalent though, so there's no need for it to be self-powered at this point in time when it's just becoming a usable product. The HULC is exceedingly more efficient at what would be real world situations for many more people.

        It's neat that it can be run remotely though, I can see the face of the first generation of robots to enslave mankind.
  • armorking, on 06/01/2008, -1/+25All these comments suck but seriously this is an excellent idea and especially the fact that people with real disabilities can use it to try and live normal lives instead of being wheel-chair ridden is simply amazing.
  • deight, on 06/01/2008, -1/+4I went to UC Berkeley when this was developed there. Saw the research group demoing it to a group of military people with stripes and stars on their uniforms late 2005 or early 2006. Took some photos off to the side but a guy saw me and told me to delete them.
    • carpespasm, on 06/01/2008, -0/+2That sucks, because without a warrant he probably had no legal right to detain you or take your camera, photos, or memory card.
    • sendbillmoney, on 06/01/2008, -0/+1Some people need to remember that fine old phrase of childhood: "You are not the boss of me."
    • count011, on 06/01/2008, -0/+1I NEED AN ADULT!!!
  • koopertrooper, on 06/01/2008, -2/+30Maximum Strength
    Crysis anyone?
  • HCviolence, on 06/01/2008, -1/+6That exoskeleton...Grey Fox!!!
  • andregriffin, on 06/01/2008, -1/+4I'm thinking about getting metal legs. It's a risky operation, but I think it'll be worth it.
    • theeldest, on 06/01/2008, -0/+1God I love him in that movie.

      JP is one of my favorite characters.
  • rdpillz, on 06/01/2008, -1/+0Personally i think it would be a more humane way to remove a grotesquely obese person from there bed and save them the indignity of being hoisted by a crane
  • kodax, on 06/01/2008, -1/+7Tony stark built one in a cave!
  • bntphoretwunny, on 06/01/2008, -1/+2precursor to the spartan project. mark my words.
  • eduren, on 06/01/2008, -0/+1Dugg for the acronym.
  • Amadeus2490, on 06/01/2008, -4/+3I'd rather have a (fully-functioning) Power Loader:

    http://blog.makezine.com/October%202006%20228.jpg
  • ItsMyWii, on 06/01/2008, -0/+5I can already do this with minimal effort. :flexes:
  • max4077, on 06/01/2008, -0/+3I don't understand why these exoskeleton technologies are always marketed with military applications sited as the primary use. Seems that there would be almost no limit to the number applications for a well developed exoskelton technology.
    • mitrovarr, on 06/01/2008, -0/+4Because they are probably so expensive they only make sense for the military. For private applications, it would be a lot cheaper to just use a few guys to carry the load, or to use a pack animal, and maybe even to helicopter the stuff in. Those methods have severe downsides during combat, but not during peacetime.
      • max4077, on 06/01/2008, -0/+0Military is where the money is... fair enough. But I also suspect that to some extent, the general public jumps to conclusions when we they say that the military is the best application. First maybe, but best? Berkeley has demonstrated that a self-powered, non-obtrusive and versatile exoskeleton is possible. True enough: an exoskeleton is designed mainly for extreme situations: outer space, deep sea, physical disability, warfare...
    • jaschac, on 06/01/2008, -0/+4You see a lot of technologies start in the military because the military can/will fund the R&D for a lot projects. The Internet, RADAR, etc all started as mil-funded projects that, once proven and established, began to find non-military uses.
  • gothsquirrel, on 06/01/2008, -3/+3No where in there to they actually say 200lbs, The max the show in the movie is 150.
  • Nubli, on 06/01/2008, -2/+1So basically Iron Man is coming to a family near you?
  • joeanon, on 06/01/2008, -9/+1THERE IS A COUPLE BUGS IN THE NEW DIGG.

    First off, when I open several tabs in firefox or opera and I login... I will be logged into the wrong article, as if digg is confused after hte login and doesn't redirect me to my article.
    I for instance just logged into the McCain will be the next president article... and yet I was taken here.

    Secondly, the way the posts populate the screen as they load is VERY ANNOYING. They make the browser scroll until they are loaded up, which makes the page useless until it load, which in my opinion is a very stupid way to load the comments.

    The comments should load without forcing the browser to scroll.


    ALL that being said.


    It's ABOUT TIME they serious got into exoskeleton suits. We've had hte technology for decades, just the fools with the money realky have no idea what to fund.

    Take renewable eneryg as an example. Thank Reagan for killing renewable energy in the mid 80s.
    • MattBot5000, on 06/01/2008, -1/+0theyre is also a several bug with youre posts
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