Army testing load-lightening exosuits

Army Times — Mon, 01 Dec 2014 10:11:07 -0500

From: Army Times

The futuristic exosuits being tested by Army researchers won't help soldiers outrun locomotives, and it'll still take more than a single bound to clear a tall building.

But a final prototype of the device, which could cut a wearer's exertion level by 25 percent when carrying a 100-pound load and might let an unburdened soldier run a four-minute mile, could be tested in a realistic setting in less than two years, according to Maj. Christopher Orlowski, who runs the program under the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency's banner.

DARPA's Warrior Web initiative spans the entire military, but much of the testing for the four prototypes in the program's second phase, and the nine prototypes that made up Phase I, has been hosted by the Soldier Performance and Equipment Advanced Research facility — SPEAR, for short — at Maryland's Aberdeen Proving Ground.

"I'm exposed to a lot of really cool technology that not everyone gets to see," said Mike LaFiandra, chief of the Dismounted Warrior Branch at the Army Research Laboratory. "Big-picture, we're really at an exciting time. The technological advancements that are happening ... I can see 10 years or 15 years from now, this not only being a soldier device, but helping soldiers who are injured, once they get back."

Three years after Warrior Web's inception, soldier-testers are taking the prototypes out of the lab and onto a cross-country course, walking through the woods with an 80-pound pack. While researchers tag along, testers report any perceived benefits from the suit, as well as any problems with comfort or ease of wear — chafing, for example.

Feedback from testers has been positive, DARPA and Army officials said, especially after the soldiers have time to get used to wearing the devices. But comfort isn't the only issue under review, and the data analysis required to gauge the performance of such suits may be a heavier lift than the packs being lugged around the Aberdeen woods.

Rules for what the prototypes must look like are flexible to allow for innovation, but the final version likely will resemble a wet suit, only with a system attached designed to deliver the right force to the right muscle or joint at the right time to ease a soldier's workload.

The Soft Exosuit prototype, designed by a team from the Wyss Institute for
Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard, uses a series of pulleys to simulate leg movement. It focuses on supporting the hip and ankle joints; "if you look at the biomechanics of walking," program leader Conor Walsh said, "you see that those two joints are doing most of the work."

Because of the weight and wattage limitations put on the system by DARPA, researchers must find ways to benefit the wearer without excess power.

"We're trying to understand what are the most efficient times in the walking cycle to add energy," Walsh said. "Do we really understand those moments?"

The prototype underwent testing in Aberdeen in early October. The last of the prototypes scheduled for this round of testing, an Arizona State product known as Air Legs that'll visit the lab in either December or January, uses air pressure instead of pulleys.

Makers of Air Legs told CBS News in a Nov. 11 report they had been able to reduce exertion, or "metabolic load," by 10 percent so far, and that reaching the 25 percent threshold would mean a soldier wearing the device could run a mile in four minutes.

Track times aren't part of the DARPA metrics. Walsh said the Harvard group's prototype has "seen muscle activity being reduced in the key areas, and we've seen positive effect in the metabolic areas," but couldn't put a number to the findings.

The difficulty in finding those metabolic-load data points is part of the reason soldiers shouldn't expect a rapid roll-out of these suits, according to the experts.

"The way everyone walks is slightly different," LaFiandra said. "Maybe a previous injury, maybe the amount of experience you have walking with a load. ... There's a tremendous amount of individual variability. Merely putting this device on one or two people, with or without a load, and comparing those numbers, is insufficient."

DARPA's stated goal is to build a device that can be worn under the uniform by 90 percent of the Army, so getting the variations right is critical. And even if the device can adapt to its user, researchers must determine the proper training protocol so the user can adapt to the device.

It's the kind of research that can't be done entirely in university labs.

"Standard college students aren't experienced in carrying 100 pounds in a backpack," LaFiandra said.

Improving performance is only one of five focus areas for the program, according to a 2013 DARPA announcement. The others:

-Advanced controls: Suits that can "function without intervention by the wearer" and correct for when the wearer's stride changes — walking to running or kneeling to crawling, for instance.
-Wearability: Suits that remain lightweight, cool and comfortable despite performance-enhancing add-ons, and can sense and process biometrics without external computer power.
-Safety: Suits that lend stability to joints and help muscles with a soldier's typical burdens, both of which could limit chronic injuries.
-Grab bag: Suits with what DARPA calls "additional assistive wearable technologies," which could be used to aid wearers undergoing rehabilitation or physical therapy, for example, or even help the elderly remain mobile.

All prototypes must tackle at least three focus areas, according to the statement, with "full-suit" entries needing to address all but the final, miscellaneous category. And the competition's end is in sight.

"DARPA plans to test the final prototype in appropriate mission profiles under realistic loads to evaluate performance," Orlowski, the program manager, said in an emailed response to questions. "These tests are currently planned for late 2016."

Once the technology is in place, which soldiers receive the exosuits and how they use them becomes the Army's problem — Orlowski said DARPA will "leave it up to the services to determine specific operational uses." Suits that pass the types of tests done in Aberdeen and meet the program's requirements would benefit most any soldier carrying any gear in any operational environment.

"Twenty or 30 years ago, it may have seemed far-fetched," LaFiandra said. "When I look at the Warrior Web prototypes, I don't think it's far-fetched. I think it's a matter of time."

http://www.armytimes.com/story/military/tech/2014/11/30/exosuit-super-soldier-darpa-aberdeen-army-harvard/19487395/

Response by TSgt Kristin Parsons made Nov 30 at 2014 2:40 PM

TSgt Kristin Parsons — Sun, 30 Nov 2014 14:40:34 -0500

This looks like something from Robocop but if it lightens the heavy load that our troops have to carry then I'm all for it!

Response by Capt Richard I P. made Dec 1 at 2014 10:14 AM

Capt Richard I P. — Mon, 01 Dec 2014 10:14:37 -0500

Next stop: HALO.

Response by SSG Tim Everett made Dec 1 at 2014 10:32 AM

SSG Tim Everett — Mon, 01 Dec 2014 10:32:19 -0500

Suddenly wearing power armour is attainable...

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 1 at 2014 10:51 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 01 Dec 2014 10:51:40 -0500

Slap on a couple of body armor panels add a gas mask to the helmet and here is what your squad will look like in another few years. Just think, back in the 70's this was just a pipe dream but it is coming faster than the flying car from the 50's.

Response by SSG Christopher Parrish made Dec 1 at 2014 10:51 AM

SSG Christopher Parrish — Mon, 01 Dec 2014 10:51:47 -0500

I'd be concerned with mobility. How long does it take a Soldier to go to a kneeling position, prone, and back up? Does this exoskeleton restrict fine movements such as the turning of the foot, think of moving from a neutral stance to a type of fight stance where the back foot is turned slightly to provide stability.

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 1 at 2014 10:56 AM

PO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 01 Dec 2014 10:56:20 -0500

I've been waiting to see this my entire adult life. I think the biggest holdup has actually just been the battery. They need to make more powerful, longer lasting batteries that do not weigh so much that you can't carry anything but the batteries.

When they do finally get these online, I'll enlist in the Space Marines!

Response by SFC Peter Cyprian made Dec 1 at 2014 10:55 AM

SFC Peter Cyprian — Mon, 01 Dec 2014 10:55:07 -0500

And how much extra weight is this adding to what we already have (or "had" in my case)?? If it is only reducing by 25% then I would be leery of it, and here's why. It looks heavy and even if it is not too heavy, the physics of gravity do not change- you are still putting 100% of the load's energy down to your feet! It may feel lighter, but your feet are still feeling the load unless they have some type of rod that goes to the heel of the boot and allows the system to distribute (the load it is bearing) straight to the ground.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 1 at 2014 11:06 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 01 Dec 2014 11:06:51 -0500

It's great, until the batteries die...

Response by CPT Zachary Brooks made Dec 1 at 2014 11:12 AM

CPT Zachary Brooks — Mon, 01 Dec 2014 11:12:02 -0500

Will this let me jump twenty feet in the air and kick through concrete walls?

Response by SSG Gordon Hill made Dec 1 at 2014 11:10 AM

SSG Gordon Hill — Mon, 01 Dec 2014 11:10:34 -0500

How about we spend the tax payers money on caring for our wounded veterans in VA system and outside the system. Why spend money on war that may never happen and war does not lead to peace just more violence and damaged people.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 1 at 2014 11:11 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 01 Dec 2014 11:11:45 -0500

We've used technology to improve our capabilities since 1775... So I am all for continuing that trend. The biggest task here will be to ensure that we are training to maximize strength and human capability to ensure readiness and effectiveness of the soldier should the technology fail. Let's not lower our physical standards expecting technology to make up for it. Let's maintain and expand the standard so that the technology truly makes us a more formidable fighting force.

Response by CPT Aaron Kletzing made Dec 1 at 2014 11:22 AM

CPT Aaron Kletzing — Mon, 01 Dec 2014 11:22:05 -0500

This is really cool -- we have a few RallyPoint members who are actually assigned at the Army Research Laboratory right now! Maybe these gentlemen would be interested in joining the discussion we are all having here. Hope so!

https://www.rallypoint.com/units/arl-army-research-laboratory-natick-ma/current

Army Research Laboratory (ARL), US Army Research, Development & Engineering Command members...

Find Army Research Laboratory (ARL) members on RallyPoint.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 1 at 2014 11:23 AM

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 01 Dec 2014 11:23:31 -0500

So here's my only issue with this. How much stuff do you put in your ruck-sack? That's right...all of it. 45-50 lbs is probably what you need, but it ends up weighing 100lbs. If you can put 300lbs in a rucksack now...you get my point. The thing gets loaded with 200lbs of ammunition and the other stuff you carry around with you...then the suit's flux capacitor goes out and you're left with a 300lb paper weight. It has its promise, but we need to be smart about it.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 1 at 2014 11:27 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 01 Dec 2014 11:27:21 -0500

Giving this article a quick read this device raises a few questions. It mentions a pulley system to simulate leg movement, but does this device use batteries or does it work my mechanical means such as springs on the pulley and cable system? What is the reliability of the device, and what is it's exact weight? The last thing I would want to do is throw this device on top of my load because it broke down half way through a patrol. Personally I think this was a visit from " the good idea fairy" but I'm kind of old fashioned.

Response by MSG Brad Sand made Dec 1 at 2014 11:28 AM

MSG Brad Sand — Mon, 01 Dec 2014 11:28:56 -0500

Starship Troopers (book not the movie) anyone?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 1 at 2014 11:34 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 01 Dec 2014 11:34:29 -0500

The age of the Orbital Drop Shock Trooper is nigh.

Response by SGT Thomas Lucken made Dec 1 at 2014 11:46 AM

SGT Thomas Lucken — Mon, 01 Dec 2014 11:46:39 -0500

To late for my legs! :-)

Response by LTC Paul Labrador made Dec 1 at 2014 11:50 AM

LTC Paul Labrador — Mon, 01 Dec 2014 11:50:39 -0500

Let me know when we get these.....

Response by SGT Steve Lovegrove made Dec 1 at 2014 12:38 PM

SGT Steve Lovegrove — Mon, 01 Dec 2014 12:38:28 -0500

Will help the "Light" Infantry for load bearing heavier carrying loads. Wish it was available when I was in, maybe have saved my back..

Response by SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 1 at 2014 12:49 PM

SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 01 Dec 2014 12:49:32 -0500

Looks great as long as it doesn't break down.

I'd look to make sure that the soldier can get out of the suit quickly if (and when) it breaks down,

Response by 1SG John Taylor made Dec 1 at 2014 1:00 PM

1SG John Taylor — Mon, 01 Dec 2014 13:00:25 -0500

Hooah!

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 1 at 2014 1:22 PM

WO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 01 Dec 2014 13:22:41 -0500

Today its exosuits tomorrow its Terminator! This is amazing though its crazy how fast technology is accelerating.

Response by SPC John Decker made Dec 1 at 2014 1:47 PM

SPC John Decker — Mon, 01 Dec 2014 13:47:41 -0500

I would have worn it when I was in. The idea of a medic being able to reach a wounded soldier quicker and with less expended energy should appeal to every person in uniform.

Response by CW5 Sam R. Baker made Dec 1 at 2014 1:56 PM

CW5 Sam R. Baker — Mon, 01 Dec 2014 13:56:52 -0500

Maybe this means my body can go an extra 10-15 years then! Nice exoskeleton road march!

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 1 at 2014 2:09 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 01 Dec 2014 14:09:54 -0500

It will be interesting to watch the development of this and other assistive technologies. They'll be a force multiplier, but I hope that training and doctrine command don't dismiss tried and true training in lieu of these newer (and easier) fighting aids.

New Soldiers still need to develop the foundation of strength, endurance, agility, stamina, power, and balance to carry a heavy load over uneven terrain while under stress. We need to continue to develop strong, well conditioned Soldiers then enhance their fighting abilities with these new technologies.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 1 at 2014 2:52 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 01 Dec 2014 14:52:15 -0500

The two main issues I see with this are 1) expense. It always seems the best/most fun toys never get sent to regular units, usually because they come with a rather high price tag. And 2) power. I have a feeling these suits would need a lot of juice, which means a big battery. Even taking into account the suit would negate the added weight of carrying its own extra batteries, that takes up space I would rather fill with other necessities like food, water, or ammo.

Response by PO2 Corey Ferretti made Dec 1 at 2014 4:55 PM

PO2 Corey Ferretti — Mon, 01 Dec 2014 16:55:25 -0500

Yeah i still dont get it. I understand the purpose of it just dont understand how it can work.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 1 at 2014 9:23 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 01 Dec 2014 21:23:24 -0500

Can I decline an issue on these I wouldn't even want to know what the statement of charges would be for this... I would be working for free til my death

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 2 at 2014 1:47 AM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 02 Dec 2014 01:47:20 -0500

The idea is awesome! One of the benefits would obviously be saving joints and reducing the bearing that a body takes, especially over a 20 year career.
The biggest drawback I see, looking at the design and the possible variances, is how to protect our injured personnel while in the suit. A dismounted IED blast is still a very real threat... The use of combat tourniquets has reduced battlefield deaths exponentially. The design of this system will either need to somehow incorporate built in application points for those tourniquets or they will become useless on the lower extremities. There is no way to quickly apply and appropriately tighten one on the design shown or described. Keep in mind that these systems have he potential of creating more shrapnel and secondary injury as well.
Use guidelines will also have to incorporate strict periods of non-use to avoid muscle wasting or reduction in natural strength secondary to decreased load bearing by the musculoskeletal system of the user.

Response by MSG Brad Sand made Dec 2 at 2014 9:41 AM

MSG Brad Sand — Tue, 02 Dec 2014 09:41:36 -0500

I guess my real question with all of this is what happens to all your gear when the batteries run out half way through the mission?

When we are humping it, without support, we are packing all we can carry. With these new exosuits, the gear and ammo you would have left is now there...until the batteries go down, the wire shorts...etc.

Really, I guess it is the same question to the same problem?

Response by 1SG James Wise made Dec 2 at 2014 12:07 PM

1SG James Wise — Tue, 02 Dec 2014 12:07:38 -0500

Let me know when we get suits like John Steakley's "Armor" or the elite suits in John Ringo's Posleen War series...better yet the tanks and equipment from David Drake's "Hammer's Slammers" series. Otherwise as we add to the ability to carry more weight easier, Soldiers and leaders will just add more items to the packing list and we will be back to square one...and stuck out in the suck with dead batteries and 200 pound rucks, plus the exoskeloton you are signed for...

Response by SGT Jeffrey Turville made Dec 2 at 2014 3:30 PM

SGT Jeffrey Turville — Tue, 02 Dec 2014 15:30:34 -0500

I did a research project in college on this suit they are awesome it could wipe away more back issued for our veterans when they leave the service I wish I had it when I had to march 25 miles as a 88M no less not even infantry the funny part was I beat the scouts and infantry back what can I say not bad for a truck driver

Response by SPC John Lindahl made Dec 2 at 2014 3:38 PM

SPC John Lindahl — Tue, 02 Dec 2014 15:38:04 -0500

an intriguing evolution to the power-suits in development for carrying and offloading heavy loads. The cynical side of me says this new version wouldn't be used to combat fatigue. The real world deployment would be dump more gear and ammo on the soldiers for the same fatigue levels of today's loads. Garry Owen

Response by SGT Steve Vincent made Dec 2 at 2014 4:27 PM

SGT Steve Vincent — Tue, 02 Dec 2014 16:27:54 -0500

In the future, the is only war. this is what we need to be working towards. Take all the master Chief crap, and stormtroopers, and even Starship troopers, and throw them out, because this is the absolute pinnacle of high speed, low drag killy stuff.

Response by SPC David Hannaman made Dec 2 at 2014 5:13 PM

SPC David Hannaman — Tue, 02 Dec 2014 17:13:22 -0500

John Steakley's "Armor" is awesome in theory (and a book I highly recommend) but I think we're a long way from there. It's not a new concept either, Marvel Comic's "Iron Man" came out in 1963.

Here's the problem...

Anything that doesn't react as quickly, move as fast, and fit through small spaces as well as the human body is a detriment... it's going to get caught on stuff, or trap you in a place where the bad guys will have the advantage.

Then there's the issue of powering it... Even the comic books recognize this, and we just don't have Arc-reactors and cold fusion. If we did we probably wouldn't *care* what happened in the middle east.

At the end of the day, when you have "boots on the ground" you want to train the brain of the guy in the field. If you do that effectively the possibilities are limitless, forage for food and water, take out battalions with wine bottles and gasoline...

I love technology, I have a laser dot scope on my AR-15... but at the end of the day I'd better know how to use the Iron sights when the batteries go dead. I have a GPS on my phone... I still need to be able to read a map.

Invest in the person, and then pay them enough to retain them. Keep politics out of war... politicians should have an "On" and "Off" button for a military action... ROE should be set by the commanders in the field.

Response by SPC David S. made Dec 2 at 2014 5:16 PM

SPC David S. — Tue, 02 Dec 2014 17:16:55 -0500

Just think pretty soon you'll be able to carry a HUMVEE.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 2 at 2014 7:44 PM

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 02 Dec 2014 19:44:26 -0500

Bring on Starship Troopers!

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 3 at 2014 8:24 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 03 Dec 2014 20:24:00 -0500

I wonder what would be the PT requirements if this equipment fully adopted by DoD

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Dec 3 at 2014 8:26 PM

SFC Mark Merino — Wed, 03 Dec 2014 20:26:17 -0500

I prefer the Iron Man suit that Tony Stark had. No more back issues with me, buddy!

Response by SSG Jed Fisher made Dec 4 at 2014 5:01 AM

SSG Jed Fisher — Thu, 04 Dec 2014 05:01:45 -0500

How noisy is it? If it's noisy, might as well be on a dirt bike. Or a horse...

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 4 at 2014 6:31 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 04 Dec 2014 06:31:41 -0500

It looks pretty good and it might help reduce injuries of the back and knees on soldiers. But like many other things, is all about money. Having 2 surgeries on my right knee and a disc replace on my lower back I will love to get my hands on one of this, and do what I once was able to do before my injuries.

Response by 1SG Pete Marcell made Dec 4 at 2014 10:03 AM

1SG Pete Marcell — Thu, 04 Dec 2014 10:03:25 -0500

How long will the batteries last???

In all seriousness this is really cool. As a "leg" I would have loved to have a little help getting up after taking a knee in full battle-rattle.

Response by SGT James Elphick made Dec 4 at 2014 10:19 AM

SGT James Elphick — Thu, 04 Dec 2014 10:19:48 -0500

I see many people worried about batteries going out but that can be fixed with a new battery (it may take awhile but at least you can get moving again at some point) but my concern is what happens when a bullet or shrapnel takes out a key component (hydraulics, electronics, etc.) and the whole thing becomes unservicable in the field? Like a said a battery can be replaced but I have a feeling if that thing gets damaged it's done for and then you have a soldier with no exoskeleton and no gear because it's too heavy to carry without it.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 2 at 2016 8:25 AM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 02 Jul 2016 08:25:11 -0400

This would be beneficial to the Light Infantry guys to reduce long term injuries.

Response by LTC Ernest Edge made Aug 29 at 2021 10:45 AM

LTC Ernest Edge — Sun, 29 Aug 2021 10:45:51 -0400

Absolutely amazing how advances in technology has changed warfare over history. Just yesterday I read an article about the killing of an ISIS-K planner. We hit his moving car at midnight using a drone.
Advances are not limited to just munitions. This exosuit seems almost sci-go, but it’s sure to be standard issue within the next 20 years. I retired almost 11 years ago. The advances I witnessed in my 22 year career were incredible. The advances since retirement continue to impress and amaze.