‘Wearable robot’ from Harvard scores DARPA funding, New Balance partnership

Conor Walsh, head of the Harvard Biodesign Lab, and lead researcher designing the suit, refers to it as a “wearable robot,” because of the way it can be worn under regular clothing, and how it straps on like a web around your limbs.

Unlike other exoskeletons being tested or being sold, like the sturdy and tough ReWalk or Ekso Bionics suits, this “Soft Exosuit” is entirely flexible.

From BetaBoston


In this article they compare this 'Exosuit'--- that's our new word for the week boys and girls--- to that of Navy’s FORTIS suit project.


The FORTIS is not like the TALOS (Tactical Assault Light Operator Suit) designed for combat but more to augment normal human strength esp for heavy and repetitive tasks. Its other exoskeleton, the HULC, they use a hydraulic-powered system and can support up to 200 pounds. this new Wearable robot’ from Harvard makes no such claims but at 13 pounds it's substantially lighter than the 30+ pounds for the FORTIS system.

Below is a photo of a TALOS for comparison.


I don't know man... the thought of a wearable Exosuit could be a real game changer and take us in entirely new directions...
It'll be interesting to keep an eye on where this new tech will take us.

Take my money...

I'll second that, think I know what I want for Christmas now!

I can imagine the Facebook updates...and subsequent responses.

"Matt Likes Burritos." - 1hr ago
"Matt was at the Chipotle restroom." 1hr ago
"Matt consumed Imodium." - 2hrs ago

So yea, anybody want to get a kicksarter going to convince the engineer to go commercial with his designs?? he university only owns he rights to the initial program. He should be able to go commercial with a few design tweaks and clever marketing.

LETS DO IT!!!!

a reply to: DYepes

DARPA already ponied up 3 million big-ones to this guy...
they want to see it work every bit as badly as the rest of us...

I think we'll be seeing more of this type of wearable Exosuit design-- coming from other sources now that the research is published and other groups take a look at what's been done so far.

They've been talking about these systems for years. Years go by and we never see any of these things deployed. I think the main obstacle is still the battery/power supply needed for them to operate.

I was under the impression DARPA is funding the University lab's program and not the individuals who's education and experience brought these innovations to us.

I suppose their hands are bound with non-compete contracts and what have you.

originally posted by: MystikMushroom
They've been talking about these systems for years. Years go by and we never see any of these things deployed. I think the main obstacle is still the battery/power supply needed for them to operate.

I agree with ya 100%

however you have to admit DARPA has been throwing a lot Lot LOT of money into this field of research over the past couple of years. Enough money to make it an attractive venture to the big boys like Lockheed Martin and Harvard --- Odd that MIT or Berkley didn't jump on this... Bet they got their own secret DOE projects to finish first.

a reply to: HardCorps

about damn time.

EDIT TO ADD:

Is it just me or is the guy in the first picture the last person you would imagine as a warrior. Those combat boots look like Ronald mc Donald shoes.

LOL

a reply to: DYepes

Normally intellectual property will go the sponsoring University. Walsh may have a contract clause giving him a percentage of royalties??? I couldn't say...

the guy who invented the computer mouse, Ralph Benjamin never saw a dime... imagine how much money that old dude would have had is he got just one penny from every mouse ever made...

As for a non-compete... usually they say "One calendar Year" after termination of employment... in other words you can't work in the same field for 1 year after you leave... after that your free to do whatever the hell you want.

Yey more ways to spend phenomenal amounts more of tax payers money \o/

Ok so he has one year break IF he decides to leave the University, and then what usually a seven year patent on the actual product before it goes public?? I mean I think he can simply modify his design to be radically different from the current model so that it like includes Wi-Fi and a cup holder right? And emits fancy lights for parties?? I am just trying to figure out how these guys can go commercial for the public rather than leaving it all for the military for the next twenty years the way drones did.

originally posted by: HardCorps

originally posted by: MystikMushroom
They've been talking about these systems for years. Years go by and we never see any of these things deployed. I think the main obstacle is still the battery/power supply needed for them to operate.

I agree with ya 100%

however you have to admit DARPA has been throwing a lot Lot LOT of money into this field of research over the past couple of years. Enough money to make it an attractive venture to the big boys like Lockheed Martin and Harvard --- Odd that MIT or Berkley didn't jump on this... Bet they got their own secret DOE projects to finish first.

Here is a thought. WHat if they can power these with minutuarized impossible engines?

originally posted by: yuppa

Here is a thought. WHat if they can power these with minutuarized impossible engines?

Or better yet, the very heat from our bodies can supplement the power supply. The sweat can be collected into a mini electrolysis machine to convert our sweat into hydrogen! I have to wonder if 3d printers were in any way involved at any point during the fabrication of this product.

No way! Natural evolution didn't make it, so we don't use it! Off limits! Natural genetic evolution or NONE AT ALL.

Thanks.

Helicopters and airplanes allow us to fly. Evolution failed.
Submarines allow us to go to great depths in the oceans. Evolution failed.
Hospitals allow us to repair and restore many injuries and other problems. Evolution failed.
Spaceships allow us to travel into the hostile vacuum of space. Evolution failed.
Computers allow us to process nearly endless repetitive calculations. Evolution failed.
Scuba gear allows us to swim naturally underwater. Evolution failed.
Glasses allow us to see despite vision defects. Evolution failed.
Prothetics allow us to replace lost or broken limbs. Evolution failed.

Evolution scrambles to the drivers seat and yells, "Give me more time! I can give you wings! I can give you fins! I can give you regrowing limbs! I can make dumb brains. I'm still working on space, but I can do it!"

Judge speaks, "Evolution please step away from the drivers seat, our brains own the rights to it now. You made our brains, and we humbly thank you for that. You gave us many things, but you fall short now. We relegate you to the backseat, and now you only speak when spoken to, understand?"

Evolution looks disdainfully at the judge and doesn't reply, and is forcefully escorted by a trio of armed guards to the backseat.

a reply to: jonnywhiteHaha that was entertaining. So then we are also machines, created by an entity we cannot understand yet, is that the gist of it?? I just want my exo-skeleton suit so I can easily haul away bulk waste faster with my truck for cash. Torn couches, old mattresses, old TV's, old furniture, broken appliances etc etc..

Maybe as well to lift out engines from the car for easy access and work.