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- headzoo, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2Having been in the military for 4 years, I can tell you I would never ***** wear that thing. I don't care how stream lined they make it. And has anyone told them that carrying gas around in your pack while being shot at isn't a great idea?
- Th3_anOmoLy, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1As an LRS radio operator, I can honsetly say I'd rather carry 100lbs that felt like 100lbs then wear that thing.
- rndmculture, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1This story is so old that my grandma who can't even work a TV remote already has exoskeleton legs.
- Wolf451man, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2Oh, the irony of Berkley, the "anti-war" campus, designing exoskeletons for the army.
- garg, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Cool. If they can get the kinks worked out we'll have suits like the Marines from starcraft!
- Blizaine, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1I'd hate to fall over, with that on. You'd feel like an upside down turtle.
- Loudog121, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1long live ExoSquad!!!!
- headzoo, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1It really doesn't matter if a shot/bullet/RPG good enough to cause the fuel to explode would kill you anyway. A small explosion or fire caused by the fuel is likely to also kill or injure those around you, and make the gear in your pack unsalvageable.
On top of that, imagine being on a long hike wearing this thing and taking fire. The reasonably light protective gear that we already wear is a burden when it comes to maneuverability. Robot legs would make it nearly impossible to run and take cover.
I'd say this thing is going to take at least another 20 years of R&D before it's usable. More focus should go into making our gear lighter and easier to carry rather than finding ways to carry more heavy stuff. - skytomorrownow, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1this seems silly (your tax dollars at work). i robot pair of legs to help soldier's carry heavy backpacks? isn't that what basic training and a humvee are for? unmanned vehicles and better policing, aid, and civilian organization skills are needed more than this.
- inactive, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Sorry, but these guys look like complete turds. If any American soldier was caught wearing this *****, I'd kill him myself for disgracing the nation -- ***** yuck!!! Get that thing off them!
- gwax, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0Kudos to the ExoSquad and Battletech/Mechwarrior (they're called Elementals) references. This is an important step towards Mechs, which is something that I fully approve of: +digg.
- inactive, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0There 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.
- zoomie, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0This 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!! - inactive, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0StarCraft seems closest -- "You wanna piece'a me?" "Gimme sumthin' ta shoot!"
- headzoo, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0@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.
- orangetiki, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0Movie ref. "How does he go to the bathroom with all that stuff on?"
- zatrix, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0can anyone say command and conquer?
- Lihtan, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0In addition to the fuel hazard, rupturing a 1000 psi hydraulic line is quite dangerous as well.
- Cryomerk, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0thats one damn ugly invention, albeit seemingly very useful.
- longman2g, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0that is why they are working on different types of fuel sources for it, and maybe it isn't intended to be used on the front lines of a field, but getting stuff somewhere your precious hummers cant go would be a plus, and if you get shot by something that canpierce the armor on the gas tank, your probably going to be dead anyway, just in this case you'll be blown up too.
- jonny5, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0it would be interesting if the exoskeleton could be adapted for use in combat in an emergency
- silkysaul, on 10/12/2007, -0/+02nd Picture in the article reminds me of the military armors in Halo :D
- inactive, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0At this rate, it's only a matter of time before someone turns into the Green Goblin.
- inactive, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0customized pair of standard Army boots?
- zoomie, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0@headzoo - you're right about the full body mech suit. But its still an extension of the same concept: the ability of the infantryman to carry heavier loads for longer distances
- Simen, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0But why do they always make it look like friggin LEGO?
- GMTao, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0I say combine this with the new nano-armour and you have yourself a nice little suit.
- KevInTx, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0All I can say is the second picture needs a comic balloon "Do these pants make my ass look big?" :)
- Schmitty, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0The only way that thing would blow up is if you got hit with incidiary rounds, or an RPG, at which point you're probably dead anyway. Awesome idea, but it has a long way to go before it would deployable. +digg.
- Starhockey, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0It's the Fenton pants!!
anyone? anyone? no?..... awwww... - Rggoalie3, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0Hey guys I have an idea! Lets build a toll of the military that uses hydraulics and LAN in one unit! You know, possibly the two least relyable things in the world. BTW, lets put some highly flamable material right on the soldier's back too! Sound fun for war time.
Makes me glad I am a civilian. - kali25, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0The 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.
- headzoo, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0Oh yeah, and carrying 100 lbs for 15+ miles isn't really that hard anyway. I like the idea of a version with super human running and jumping though. That might make it worth it.
- inactive, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0I wonder if it can rip your knee joints backwards if the software fails? Maybe tear apart every tendon in your groin if it decides to reset while your wearing it... No way in hell I'd strap anything on to my body that can lift 200lbs.
Kudos on the upside down turtle effect blizaine! - laughterkillsme, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0Looks like a POS. I'm sure like 15 years from now it will start approaching some level of usability .. but if they put that on our soldiers today ... rofl.
- finalblue, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0Here 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.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8656746/ - solo, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0I hope it doesn't run on Windows.
"My leg crashed again...Da#@!..critical system update. " - michaeltdoan, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0It would really suck if the legs lock up (malfunctions) as you're running away from flying bullets.
- abonet, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0What happens when the bad guys start shooting at you? Solves logistics problems, but not very practical for anyone expecting combat.
- cbdgr, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0I will just hitch a ride on the back :)
- tcsajax, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0This is really old. Its not meant for combat duty but is a way to help soilders march father distances with more equipment.
- regedit2D, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0This is a good concept, but it'll never work. The army will buy millions of them, test them, hate them, trash them, and call it a day.
- toiletduck, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0I could not imagine wearing that in a combat environment.
- dslknight, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0Not only do they look depressed in those outfits, but they're also slouched over. You'd think they'd at least be able to stand up straight...
- TimmyK., on 10/12/2007, -0/+0This is pretty old. I saw this same exoskeleton (or one exactly like it) demonstrated on a television show long ago. The goal isn't to give the soldiers robot suits of armor, but to let them carry heavier loads for longer periods of time and longer distances, and to increase strength.
- anonperson, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0Darpa 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. - justjeff1, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0A quart of gas gets you 15 minutes of "high powered" walking. Let's say 5 miles an hour. That's 5 miles to the gallon. To move one person and 100 lb pack. I suspect we will have to fight more wars over oil if we start using these to...fight wars over oil.
- Anacriosd, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0Looks like the beginings of the infamous "cobra commander" suit!
- FuManchu, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0AllllRIGHTTT!!!
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!!! - headzoo, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0^^ Yeah, but the suit in the book was so bad ass. :)
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