The problem is balance. You could easily lose your balance going over terrain that you cannot drive on. this would only work for marching on flat land. You you climb over a rock over you go. It will never fly. Now combine it with some sore of gyroscope and you are getting close to a "loader" from the movie Alien.
This is an old idea...Robert A Heinlien described this type of suit about 50 yrs ago in "Starship Troopers"...and no not that crappy movie with doogie howser.Whatever becomes operational in the future will never look like the prototypes in the pictures. I've seen some pretty weird concepts for military equipment in my over 20yrs in uniform..most that never made it into operational use. But if I'd seen the things, that soldiers wear these days, back when I first joined the army, I'd probably say Whoa!!
@zoomie - My impression from Starship Troopers (yes, the book) was that they used full body, heavily armored, mech suits. This seems a far cry from that.
Darpa funds research that is supposed to be "20 years out." The whole idea is to push the envelope. "that guy really isn't happy about wearing all that gear is he? :D"...maybe he is unhappy about the photo-shoot.
AllllRIGHTTT!!!About time we were able to bust that damn Sherpa union with technology!!On to the summit! WITH my XBOX 360, portable bar, salamander, and 4-poster bed!!!
chrishillDec 16, 2005
digg for the 2nd picture on that page, that guy really isnt happy about wearing all that gear is he? :D
Closed AccountDec 16, 2005
There are dozens of versions of this story that are all old, but it's good to get an update. This is like the Nintendo Revolution for exoskeletons.
kali25Dec 16, 2005
The problem is balance. You could easily lose your balance going over terrain that you cannot drive on. this would only work for marching on flat land. You you climb over a rock over you go. It will never fly. Now combine it with some sore of gyroscope and you are getting close to a "loader" from the movie Alien.
finalblueDec 16, 2005
Here is the link to the Japanese "HAL". I think it's alot cooler when it probably will be more likely available to the average consumer. Besides it's got arms.<a class="user" href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8656746/">http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8656746/</a>
soloDec 16, 2005
I hope it doesn't run on Windows."My leg crashed again...Da#@!..critical system update. "
zoomieDec 16, 2005
This is an old idea...Robert A Heinlien described this type of suit about 50 yrs ago in "Starship Troopers"...and no not that crappy movie with doogie howser.Whatever becomes operational in the future will never look like the prototypes in the pictures. I've seen some pretty weird concepts for military equipment in my over 20yrs in uniform..most that never made it into operational use. But if I'd seen the things, that soldiers wear these days, back when I first joined the army, I'd probably say Whoa!!
headzooDec 16, 2005
@zoomie - My impression from Starship Troopers (yes, the book) was that they used full body, heavily armored, mech suits. This seems a far cry from that.
lihtanDec 16, 2005
In addition to the fuel hazard, rupturing a 1000 psi hydraulic line is quite dangerous as well.
anonpersonDec 17, 2005
Darpa funds research that is supposed to be "20 years out." The whole idea is to push the envelope. "that guy really isn't happy about wearing all that gear is he? :D"...maybe he is unhappy about the photo-shoot.
fumanchuDec 17, 2005
AllllRIGHTTT!!!About time we were able to bust that damn Sherpa union with technology!!On to the summit! WITH my XBOX 360, portable bar, salamander, and 4-poster bed!!!
tcsajaxDec 18, 2005
This is really old. Its not meant for combat duty but is a way to help soilders march father distances with more equipment.