Hello defence lovers! In this article, we are going to discuss a very interesting topic. We will discuss what is an exoskeleton. How these are going to transform the battlefield of the future? What are its other applications? And when will we see these on the battlefield? We will discuss all these in this article.
What Is Exoskeleton?
An exoskeleton (also known as a powered exoskeleton, power armour, powered armour, powered suit, cybernetic suit, cybernetic armour, exosuit, hardsuit, or exoframe) is a wearable mobile machine that is powered by a system of electric motors, pneumatics, levers, hydraulics, or a combination of technologies that allow for limb movement with increased strength and endurance. Its design aims to provide back support, sense the user’s motion, and send a signal to motors that manage the gears. The exoskeleton supports the shoulder, waist and thigh, and assists movement for lifting and holding heavy items while lowering back stress. Exoskeletons can increase the strength of a normal human being by many folds. Wearing an exosuit a normal person can lift weights which earlier required heavy machinery to lift.
How Are Exoskeletons Going To Transform The Battlefield?
The exoskeleton technology is not mature yet. It will take time to mature the technology. With present technology, it is not practically feasible to equip the soldiers with such exoskeletons which would make them super soldiers. However, with the present technology, exosuit can come in handy in lifting heavy loads. This is useful in mountain warfare and high altitude warfare where transportation is not so easy. Traditionally, the Indian armed forces have relied on mules to supply ration and ammunition to the outpost which are in difficult terrain. Now with powered exoskeletons, each soldier can carry greater loads in their backpacks.
Exoskeletons would also reduce the fatigue of soldiers so that they can fight for longer durations. In high-altitude regions, the oxygen level of the air is lower than in plains. Due to this human body’s efficiency decrease due to lack of oxygen. Thus soldiers get tired more often. The exoskeleton can somewhat solve this problem by enhancing limb and muscular strength.
In the future, we might see soldiers equipped with powerful exosuits which would enhance their overall physical strength and performance. With such exosuits soldiers can carry heavier weapons and more ammunition, run faster, jump higher. Possibilities are endless. Exosuits have the potential to transform the battlefields.
Medical Application Of Exoskeleton
Exoskeletons have tremendous potential in medical applications. Exoskeletons can be used to power those who have been paralyzed due to some accident. Exoskeletons can also help those people to do their normal day to day activities, who have lost their limbs. Exosuits can enhance their overall quality of life by providing them power-assisted movement.
Exosuits have great military medical applications as well. Sometimes soldiers are discharged from the service after getting critically wounded on the battlefield. Exosuits can offer these soldiers a second chance. With time the technology of exosuit will evolve to such an extent that it would power human beings just like our normal muscles do. In this way, we can save our valuable soldiers and commanders.
Industrial Applications
Exoskeletons can be used in all those industries where workers need to perform manual lifting of heavyweights. It would make the manufacturing faster. Exosuits can be used in construction activities. Indian army can use exosuits to build critical bridges faster during wartime.
Also read : DRDO Developing Exoskeleton For The Indian Soldiers Posted In High Alt.
Overall possibilities with these exoskeletons are endless. It is difficult to predict how this technology would evolve over time. But one thing we can predict that this technology has the potential to revolutionize modern warfare.
