Personal Exoskeletons for Heavy Lifting

Robotic exoskeletons have long been a staple of science fiction, but companies are now developing real world applications.

How cool it would be to walk into a factory where people in exoskeletons were lifting herculean loads?  It would be just like Avatar.  Panasonic’s subsidiary Activelink is getting close to making robotic exoskeletons a reality with their PowerLoader Light machine.

Powered by motors at the ankles, knees and hips, Activelink’s exoskeleton is controlled by a sensors located in the sole of its boot. As the user applies pressure to different parts of the boot’s sole, the motors engage the exoskeleton to do the heavy lifting. With practice, Activelink says that the exoskeleton will begin to follow a user’s natural movements, turning a herky-jerky motion into a smooth and natural gate.

But Activelink’s exoskeleton isn’t just legs. The PowerLoader’s two arms are capable of lifting 30kg loads, one in each arm.  While that’s impressive, it’s not as powerful as a fairly strong human. For industries to invest in robotic exoskeletons they’ll likely have to perform superhuman feats of strength.  (But hopefully not go to war with indigenous species on distant planets.)

See Activelink’s Exoskeleton in Action Below:

Images and Video Courtesy of Panasonic ActiveLink