Posts: 2113
From: Staffs, UK
Registered: Aug 2002

posted 05-29-2004 06:45 AM            

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An interesting news story that could well have human spaceflight implications - especially surface explorations on the Moon and Mars - is the Berkely Lower Extremity Exoskel;eton (BLEEX). This is comprised of of metal leg barces that connect to wearers feet, a power unit and a back mounted farme for carrying the loads. The user is able to squat,walk,bend and even hop over obstacles (small) while wearing it. No keyboard or joystick involved (unlike some other cyborg type units I've seen) since the legs are so designed so that wearer's natural movements operate it.

In recent tests a pilot could move about a room carrying the 100 lb exoskeleton and a 70 pound backpack. DARPA is funding this BLEEX prototype

See http://me.berkeley.edu/hel/bleex.htm

Phill

Posts: 2113
From: Staffs, UK
Registered: Aug 2002

Posts: 441
From: San Jose, California, USA
Registered: Mar 2002